Accusing her of victim-blaming, Rep. Jim Banks is calling on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to apologize for her response to Donald Trump contracting the coronavirus. After it was announced Friday that the president had tested positive for COVID-19, the speaker of the United States House of Representatives wish him a safe recovery but also pointed out that he has repeatedly made appearances at events without a mask, adding that he should have taken additional precautions to avoid contracting the pathogen.

"We all received that news with great sadness," Pelosi said during an appearance on MSNBC. She went on to say that she always prays for the president and his family that they are safe, adding that Trump contracting coronavirus is "tragic" and very sad.

She then spoke about how Trump went into crowds during events without wearing masks and ended up inviting something like this to happen. Banks sent a letter to Pelosi claiming her remarks were "insensitive" and it sounded like she was suggesting that Trump deserved to contract coronavirus.

In the letter, Banks pointed out Pelosi's remarks about the news broke about Trump testing positive for COVID-19, where she suggested the president's behavior was sort of a brazen invitation for him to contract coronavirus. He went on to say that the thought that anyone would deserve to contract the deadly virus is "offensive and shameful" and particularly insensitive to Americans who have lost a family member or friend due to this illness.

Banks urged Pelosi to apologize to Americans who have been directly affected by the virus. He also accused Pelosi of not realizing the risks front-line workers take, claiming that by suggesting the president was partially at fault for contracting coronavirus, she also insulted those who work in positions where avoiding the coronavirus is hard.

He then alluded to a LA Times report about Pelosi's minimum net worth, which is $16 million. Banks noted that she has taken out a $5 million mortgage in the last year and that she and her husband Paul own nine properties that are valued at $18 million.

Banks said she is unlikely to therefore understand the position millions of Americans are in, having to choose between exposing themselves and their families to the virus, and bringing home income to pay the bills and put food on the table. He went on to formally request Pelosi to issue an apology on behalf of those millions of Americans who have contracted coronavirus, for insulting them and suggesting that there somehow responsible for their pain.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy also criticized Pelosi for her remark, claiming she should focus on negotiating an additional COVID-19 relief package that can pass both chambers. In an interview on Fox News on Sunday, he said her remarks were uncalled for, especially at this time.