Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday slapped down former President Trumpā€™s statement that immigrants are ā€œpoisoning the blood of our countryā€ by pointing out Trump appointed his wife, Elaine Chao, who is Taiwanese American, to serve as secretary of Transportation in 2016.

Asked about Trumpā€™s controversial comments, which have drawn comparison to Nazi rhetoric before and during World War II, McConnell pointed out the hypocrisy of the remarks.

ā€œIt strikes me that didnā€™t bother him when he appointed Elaine Chao the secretary of Transportation,ā€ he said.

Chao also served in former President George W. Bushā€™s Cabinet as secretary of Labor, becoming the first Asian Pacific American woman to serve in a presidential Cabinet.