President Joe Biden reportedly apologized to former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson after the former Republican presidential candidate was mocked by the Democratic National Committee this week.

According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden got his chief of staff, Jeffrey Zients to call Hutchinson and apologize for the DNC’s snide remarks.

“President Biden has deep respect for Governor Hutchinson and admires the race that he ran. The President knows him to be a man of principles who cares about the country and has a strong record of public service,” she stated, clarifying that the DNC’s statement did not represent Biden’s views.

When asked if any action had been taken aside from an apology, Jean-Pierre said she cannot speak to the DNC’s decision to put out the statement but can only share Biden’s feelings on the issue.

The DNC had issued a statement after Hutchinson dropped out of the race on Tuesday, throwing a jab at the candidate for his campaign’s poor performance that put him at sixth position in Monday’s Iowa caucuses after receiving only 0.2% of the votes.

The statement, written by DNC National Press Secretary Sarafina Chitika, read, “This news comes as a shock to those of us who could’ve sworn he had already dropped out.”

The DNC was widely condemned by people on both sides of the political aisle for the statement which many called “stupid.”

Even Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), who is running against Biden for the Democratic Party’s presidential ticket, weighed in to criticize the DNC for such a “disrespectful” and “unnecessary” message.

“It’s disrespectful, it’s mean-spirited, it’s unnecessary, and it’s obnoxious. And I’m embarrassed for my party,” he said in a campaign speech in New Hampshire, as he said the DNC should have celebrated the governor’s participation instead of mocking him.

​​A good portion of the criticism the DNC has received on the right since its statement has come from non-Trump supporters.

“Never Trump” leader and Bulwark editor-at-large Bill Kristol, wrote, “I assume you guys want the support in November of that slice of Republicans who admire Asa for being a decent and principled person, and for not bending the knee to [former President Donald] Trump? Or is Biden so far ahead that you don’t need every potential crossover vote?”

“Hey @DNC, this is a shitty thing to say. @AsaHutchinson should be thanked by you all for running AGAINST Trump. I mean…you do want all of us NeverTrumpers to vote for Biden, don’t you? Come on DNC, be better than this,” rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) wrote.