called him a "race-baiting politician who hates America".

This came after Rasool accused US President Donald Trump of trying to "project white victimhood as a dog whistle". Asked by the BBC's Newshour whether he believed the Trump administration was racist, Rasool said: "I think it is self-evident rather than anyone needing to be called out."

The BBC has approached the White House for comment. In one of his first interviews since being expelled from the US, Rasool added: "I'm saying when a piece of wood has a hinge, you begin to suspect it's a door."

The diplomat cited the administration's emphasis on deporting migrants as well as the targeting of foreign students who had supported pro-Palestinian protests. He also accused Trump's team of mobilising "certain far-right communities". The Trump administration has denied accusations of racism. The president says he has a mandate to deport thousands of migrants who entered the US illegally after it formed a central part of his election campaign last year. Rubio has defended revoking visas for students, who "cause chaos" on college campuses (BBC/Getty Images)