Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa is declining to directly answer whether he thinks President Donald Trump’s comments toward four minority women in the U.S. House were racist.

Asked by reporters Wednesday about Trump’s comments, Grassley repeated earlier remarks in which he called for civility among elected officials.

Grassley says public officials should avoid name calling and shouldn’t question others’ patriotism.

Grassley also refused to comment on Iowa Rep. Steve King’s criticism of Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, who initially agreed the president’s tweets were racist.