Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary for the White House, blamed Republicans in her response to racist remarks made by Nury Martinez, who is now the former president of the Los Angeles City Council.

Martinez, a Democrat, was heard complaining in a leaked audio tape from Oct. 2021 about how Mike Bonin, a white councilor, treated his black son like an “accessory” and a “little white kid” before calling him a “parece changuito,” which means “like a monkey.” Martinez said on Tuesday that she is taking a leave of absence after resigning as president on Monday.

The four individuals in the audiotaped chat, according to the press secretary, should vacate their council seats. She continued by saying that whereas “MAGA Republicans” embrace racism and anti-Semitism, Democrats hold one another accountable for such remarks.

“The president is relieved that one of the individuals in that conversation has quit, but they all ought to. He thinks they ought to all step-down. The language that was employed and accepted throughout the conversation was disgusting,” according to Jean-Pierre. “They should all resign, and this is the distinction between Dems and MAGA Republicans,” the speaker said. “We hold Democrats accountable when they make racist or anti-Semitic statements.”

“When a MAGA GOP says something anti-Semitic or racist, they are welcomed by cheering audiences and become lauded and sought after in endorsements,” she stated.

In addition to Martinez’s comments regarding the child, Councilman Kevin de León contrasted Martinez holding a Louis Vuitton bag to Bonin’s treatment of his son at the Martin Luther King Jr. procession. Martinez called LA County District Attorney George Gascon “f*ck that man, he’s with the blacks” and made other disparaging remarks.

According to the audio, Martinez responded by referring to the kid as “su negrito,” a racial epithet in Spanish.

Following the controversy and protests that broke out at Los Angeles City Hall, Martinez made the announcement on Tuesday that she is stepping down from the council. She, De Leon, Councilman Gil Cedillo, and President Ron Herrera of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor have all expressed regret over the event.