Democrats have long been accused by critics of playing the race card to deflect criticism, a tactic that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appears to have once again embraced.

According to Breitbart, Clinton accused Texas Republican Rep. Lance Gooden of being "racist" and "xenophobic" for suggesting that a Democratic member of Congress has ties to China's government. 

"Honorary president" of Chinese front group

Those allegations came after Gooden asserted that California Rep. Judy Chu was an "honorary president" of the All America Chinese Youth Federation (AACYF), an organization he says is connected to the Chinese Communist Party.

On February 14, Gooden joined with a group of other Republican lawmakers in writing a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray asking him to look into Dominic Ng.

President Joe Biden appointed Ng to represent the U.S. at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) despite his having previously held an executive position at the China Overseas Exchange Association (COEA), which is widely believed to be a Chinese front group.

However, the lawmakers also alleged that Chu lobbied the president to appoint Ng, something they said deserves to be investigated.

Chu denies allegations, levels racism charges

"Communist China is creating and operating front organizations in the U.S. that are designed to influence events, businesses and leaders throughout our nation, and their mission is proving successful," they wrote.

For her part, Chu has denied being involved with the AACYF. What's more she and other Democratic members of Congress echoed Clinton's racism claims.

"No Chinese Americans—indeed no Americans—should face suspicions of disloyalty or treason based on their ethnicity, nation of origin, or that of their family members," they said in a statement.

"That kind of profiling is beneath us all, particularly those entrusted with public office," the left-leaning lawmakers insisted.

Congressman calls Chu a "ringleader"

Still, Breitbart noted that Gooden is making no apologies for what he said, something the Texas congressman reiterated when he spoke to Fox News.

"We’re standing up to Communist China, and these Democrats’ first reaction is to come to their defense and call us all racist," Gooden complained

"I question [Chu’s] either loyalty or competence. If she doesn’t realize what’s going on then she’s totally out of touch with one of her core constituencies," he continued

"I think she has drug along the other Chinese American members to sign this letter, but I do think she’s the ringleader and I’m really disappointed and shocked that someone like Judy Chu would have a security clearance and be entitled to confidential intelligence briefings until this is figured out," the congressman concluded.