A black Republican member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability erupted at the start of a hearing on the border crisis at Democrats' characterizing it as a chance to "amplify white nationalist conspiracy theories."

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) interjected immediately after Chairman James Comer (R-KY) had sworn in two Border Patrol agent witnesses in Tuesday's hearing and told Democrats who view Republicans as racist that any concern ought to be brought to the committee personally, not on social media.

OVERSIGHT HEARING WITH BORDER PATROL A RARE 'OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER FACTS' ON CRISIS

"I'm just going to cut to the chase. For my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who want to state that we're using this hearing for white nationalism, I'm not doing that. So, if you feel that strongly, come walk up to this side of the room and let's talk about it face to face," said Donalds, a second-term lawmaker. "But leave that kind of silly stuff for somebody else. Don't bring that here today. This stuff is serious. I apologize, Mr. Chairman."

Freshman Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) immediately rebutted Donalds's statement and asked Comer what decorum rules meant about "prohibition against personalities." Comer did not engage Goodman and pivoted back to letting the witnesses give their opening statements.

The oversight committee began what was expected to be a contentious hearing on the state of the U.S.-Mexico border Tuesday morning.

Comer launched into his opening remarks and noted that the committee's Democrats had posted a note on Twitter that he deemed to be in violation of decorum rules and "very disturbing."

"Oversight committee Democrats just tweeted. ... It says, 'Good morning and good luck to everyone except @GOPoversight members who are using today's hearing to amplify white nationalist conspiracy theories instead of comprehensive solutions to protect our borders and strengthen our immigration,'" Comer said. "Really? I don't even know what to say about that."

Comer also pointed to a memo the White House issued right before the hearing began that criticized Republicans for "having the nerve to have this hearing."

"I don't understand how two front-line Border Patrol agents coming before this committee would make things worse," Comer said. "That's what the Oversight Committee is about."

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The White House memo accused Republicans of “actually pushing an agenda that would make things worse at the border” and pointed to record-high levels of funding that the White House requested for homeland security officials to catch more fentanyl coming into the United States as an example of Republicans overlooking President Joe Biden’s work at the border.

The hearing is part of House Republicans' investigations into how the Biden administration and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have carried out border security and immigration policy over the past two years. Two House Republicans have introduced articles to impeach Mayorkas this year.