Washington - Former President Donald Trump has come under fire from Republican lawmakers after making derogatory remarks about immigrants during a recent speech. Trump's comments have sparked condemnation from several prominent figures within the GOP, while others have defended him and dismissed the criticism.

During a speech in New Hampshire over the weekend, Trump stated, "They let - I think the real number is 15, 16 million people into our country. When they do that, we got a lot of work to do. They're poisoning the blood of our country." These comments have attracted strong backlash from fellow Republicans.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is married to Elaine Chao, an immigrant from Taiwan and former secretary of Transportation in the Trump administration, voiced his dismay. McConnell stated, "It strikes me that it didn't bother him when he appointed Elaine Chao secretary of Transportation." He questioned the inconsistency in Trump's view towards immigrants.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine also expressed her disapproval, calling the comments "horrible" and asserting that they have no place in public discourse. "So they're deplorable," she added.

Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota criticized Trump's rhetoric as "very inappropriate." While acknowledging that the current administration's border policies could contribute to such views, Rounds emphasized the importance of celebrating diversity and refraining from making divisive statements.

The Trump campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, responded to the Republican criticism by highlighting the former president's extensive support within the party. Cheung pointed out, "He has by far the most Senate endorsements in this race, people who are fighters and want to Make America Great Again."

Trump's remarks have also become a focal point in the presidential race, with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie using them to attack his rival. Christie accused Trump of "dog whistling" to Americans who feel economically and socially threatened, blaming their concerns on people from different backgrounds.

The Biden campaign quickly drew comparisons between Trump's comments and Adolf Hitler's language in his infamous manifesto, "Mein Kampf." Biden campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa characterized Trump's rhetoric as resembling Hitler's, linking it to his alleged admiration of authoritarian leaders.

However, some Republicans brushed off the criticism, including South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who stated, "We're talking about language. I could care less what language people use as long as we get it right."

In a CNN interview, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York defended Trump by suggesting that he was referring to Democratic policies rather than being explicitly anti-immigrant. Malliotakis emphasized Trump's personal connections to immigrants, such as his marriage to an immigrant and his employment of immigrants.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is also running for president, refrained from condemning Trump's comments during a Fox News segment aired on Monday.

The controversy surrounding Trump's remarks highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party, manifesting in differing views on immigration and how to address the issue. As the presidential race heats up, debates over immigration policy and rhetoric are likely to remain at the forefront of political discussions.

Now, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact Trump's standing within the party and whether it will have long-lasting implications in the broader political landscape.