President Donald Trump doubled down on his condemnation of MS-13 gang members Wednesday, calling them "animals" during an immigration roundtable discussion in Long Island, New York.
"I call them animals the other day and I was met with rebuke," said Trump. "They are not people; they are animals"
Trump cited the gang's motto of "rape, control and kill" as to why he chose the word "animal" to describe MS-13 members.
He added that they are a "ruthless gang" that has transformed "peaceful neighborhoods into blood-stained fields."
"MS-13 gang members are accused of stabbing a man 100 times, decapitating him and ripping out his heart," Trump said. "We are praying for these families with us today and we pledge to honor the memory of those you lost with action and resolve and with great success."
Congressman Peter King (R-NY) agreed with Trump's assessment of the gang.
"They are horrible, vicious, rotten murders," he said.
Meanwhile, Trump highlighted his administration's commitment to combat gang violence, calling on lawmakers to close immigration loopholes.
"Democrats have to abandon their resistance to border security so we can support law enforcement and save innocent lives," said Trump. "We have the worst immigration laws of any place anywhere in the world."
"We are letting people in who are creating problems; we are letting people in who are gang members," said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who attended Wednesday's roundtable. "We are hopeful, Mr. President, that we can get some assistance from the Congress to close some of the loopholes."
Also present were Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen and acting director of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Thomas Homan.