California Democrat Rep. Porter says calling person a 'pedophile' brands them a criminal

California Democrat Rep. Katie Porter says calling a person a "pedophile" or "groomer" is alleging that they are a criminal because of their "identity."

"This allegation of groomer and pedophile, it is alleging that a person is criminal somehow, and engaged in criminal acts merely because of their identity, their sexual orientation and their gender identity," Porter said at Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday titled, "The Rise of Anti-LGBTQI+ Extremism and Violence in the United States."

Porter also said the "groomer narrative is an age-old lie to position LGBTQ+ people as a threat to kids."

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said at the hearing: "When we use words and phrases like groomers and pedophiles to describe people ... it is dangerous and it's got one purpose. It is to dehumanize us and make it feel like we are not a part of this American society."

Porter's comments were criticized after the hearing. 

"Katie Porter just said that pedophilia isn’t a crime, she said it’s an 'identity.' THIS IS THE EMBODIMENT OF EVIL!" Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) tweeted. "The sad thing is that this woman isn't the only VILE person pushing for pedophilia normalization. This is what progressives believe!"