Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) told the "radical left," who he described as trying to destroy the United States, to "kiss my ass" while campaigning in Nevada over the weekend.
"If you're a Democrat and you think your party's going down the wrong road, say something about it. You'll be glad you did," Graham said at a Republican campaign rally in Las Vegas. "If you're the radical left who's trying to destroy the country, you can kiss my ass."
Graham's remarks drew enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Graham has become more vocal in his opposition to Democrats since the contentious hearings over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation last month. The senator ripped Democrats for their treatment of Kavanaugh following accusations of sexual assault against the justice, calling the confirmation process "the most unethical sham since I've been in politics" and adding, "If you really wanted to know the truth, you sure as hell wouldn't have done what you've done to this guy."
In an apparent reference to the upcoming midterm elections, Graham said earlier this month that he hopes the Democrats get their "ass beat" over their treatment of Kavanaugh during his confirmation process.
Soon after the hearings concluded, Graham said he would campaign against fellow senators for the first time.
"All I can say is that this is going to the streets, at the ballot box," Graham said. "I've never campaigned against a colleague in my life. That's about to change."
Graham encouraged Americans to vote against Democrats last week, saying, "If you elect Democrats to run the House, you know exactly what you're going to get. You're rewarding mob rule ... don't give these people power."