Second gentleman Doug Emhoff said on Wednesday that the rise in antisemitism shows that the United States is facing an epidemic of hate and that its on Americans to speak up against far-right extremism.

The husband of Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at a roundtable at the White House with Jewish leaders and senior U.S. officials to address the visible increase in hateful rhetoric and behavior towards Jewish people in America. Emhoff is the first Jewish person among the top four officials in the executive branch and has become increasingly outspoken about the growing hostility toward the Jewish community and other marginalized groups in the U.S.

Theres an epidemic facing our country. Were seeing a rapid rise in antisemitic rhetoric and acts. And let me be clear words matter, Emhoff said. People are no longer saying the quiet parts out loud. They are literally screaming at them.

He added: Judaism isnt defined by how much we go to temple or how often we celebrate traditions. Its who we are as a people, its our identity. Its my identity. And Im in pain right now. Were all in pain right now. Our community is in pain.