President Joe Biden has called on three Los Angeles City Council members to resign over racist remarks made between them in a leaked audio recorded last year. 

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in a press briefing that the president was of the opinion that all three should resign and that the language used in the conversation was “unacceptable” and “appalling.” 

Of the three members that were part of the conversation, Councilwoman Nury Martinez announced on Tuesday that she would be leaving her office, having already resigned as city council president. Her announcement came in the aftermath of excerpts of her racist remarks that were used to describe the son of a fellow council member, Mike Bonin. 

Also Read | Blake Shelton leaving The Voice: Niall Horan, and Chance the Rapper join as coaches

The other two parties in the conversation, council members Kevin de Leon and Gil Cedillo have continued to remain as part of the council and were present for a public meeting on Tuesday. Another council member, Ron Herrera, who participated in the conversation stepped down as the president of the  Los Angeles County Federation of Labor on Monday evening. 

“Hate never goes away, it only hides. But lately it is just out in the open at these extreme MAGA rallies,” is a direct quote from Biden that the Press Secretary shared with members of the press. Jean-Pierre also mentioned comments made by Senator Tommy Tuberville (Republican – Alabama ) over the weekend when he said Democrat support of reparations for descendants of slaves “because they think that people that do the crime are owed that.”

Also Read | Blade production halt postpones Deadpool 3, Avengers: Secret Wars, Fantastic Four release

She also pointed to Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Republican Doug Mastriano who attacked Josh Shapiro for sending his children to what he called a “privileged, elite school.” Shapiro sends his children to a Jewish school, with many calling Mastriano’s reference to be a dog whistle for anti-Semitism. 

Jean-Pierre said that the controversy about the comments made by the LA city council members highlighted the difference between the two parties.

“When a MAGA Republican says something racist and anti-Semitic, they are embraced by cheering crowds and become celebrated and sought after endorsements,” she said.