The head of the National Rifle Association said Friday the "leftist movement" is radical, organized, and poses a threat to what the United States stands for.
Wayne LaPierre, who serves as the NRA's CEO and executive vice president, made the remarks during a CPAC speech in National Harbor, Md.
"They've turned protesting into what seems like a full-time profession. Seriously," LaPierre said. "You would think that for $1,500 a week, they would at least know what they are protesting. You've seen it. Half of them, they can't even tell you. But one thing is for sure, we've all seen just how violent they can be."
LaPierre then rattled off examples of violent protests that took place on Inauguration Day in the nation's capital and attacks on supporters of President Donald Trump nationwide.
"Ladies and gentlemen, have we ever seen such anger in this country?" he asked. "The left's message is absolutely clear. They want revenge; you've got to be punished. They say you are what is wrong with America, and now you've got to be purged."
LaPierre said anti-Trump protests include "anarchists, Marxists, communists, and the whole rest of the left-wing Socialist brigade.
"Many of these people literally hate everything America stands for. Democracy. Free-market capitalism. Representative government. Individual freedom. They want to tear down our system and replace it with their collectivist, top-down, global government-knows-best utopia."
LaPierre proceeded to further make his case that America has become an "angry, dangerous world" because of an increase in violence and drug cartel activity on the nation's streets.
LaPierre has served in his position at the NRA since 1991. He noted the left-wing media is conducting a "carpet-bombing campaign" by spreading anti-Trump stories.
"You can hear it in their tone. You can see the disdain on their faces," he said. "Everything from their word choices to their inflection is trained on one target: purposely and maliciously destroying the Trump presidency. No matter what it takes and no matter what it costs."