Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry called on conservatives to excise and discard fellow Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump Wednesday.

"Let no one be mistaken — Donald Trump's candidacy is a cancer on conservatism, and it must be clearly diagnosed, excised and discarded," Perry's prepared remarks said. "It cannot be pacified or ignored, for it will destroy a set of principles that has lifted more people out of poverty than any force in the history of the civilized world — the cause of conservatism."

Perry was in Washington, D.C., to deliver remarks at an event hosted by the Opportunity and Freedom PAC, which supports his candidacy for president. While the event was billed as a policy forum focusing on the economy, border security, veterans issues and national defense, Perry's tough remarks about fellow candidate Donald Trump stand out most.

The former governor said he feels strongly about opposing Trump's candidacy because he believes conservatism is the only way forward for the United States.

"Donald Trump the reality television star is a great generator of ratings, but Donald Trump the candidate is a sower of division, wrongly demonizing Mexican-Americans for political sport," Perry said. "It is wrong to paint with a broad brush Hispanic men and women in this country who have fought and died for freedom from the Alamo to Afghanistan. He scapegoats Hispanics to appeal to our worst instincts, when we need a president who appeals to our best."

Perry's aggressive stance does not end there, however, as he goes on to criticize Trump as being born into privilege, and choosing to avoid service in the military. One of two veterans running for president as Republicans, Perry criticized Trump's pejorative statements about Sen. John McCain's time in captivity.

Trump and Perry have been feuding in public appearances, via social media and in the press. Earlier Wednesday, Trump tweeted a picture he claimed showed the governor "begging for my support and money," during his last presidential run. Perry, for one, said he wants to move on past Trump's rhetoric.

"We must move past the empty calories of Trumpism, and return to conservatism," Perry said. "We need leadership that repairs the breach in America, that brings the country together, that sets our sights on greatness after a long period of pettiness. Let's get on with the business of building that America."