'A Brazen Invitation': Democrats Offer Well Wishes And Criticize President's Behavior

Brian Naylor

October 02, 2020 / 9:02 am

caption: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks at a news conference Thursday on Capitol Hill.

Along with well wishes for a speedy recovery, Democratic lawmakers are lodging some criticism at President Trump following his positive coronavirus test.

"We all received that news with great sadness," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told MSNBC. "I always pray for the president and his family that they're safe."

"This is tragic, it's very sad, but it also is something that going into crowds, unmasked, and all the rest, was sort of a brazen invitation for this to happen," Pelosi said, adding that she hoped the news would be a message to others to follow guidelines for avoiding the spread of the virus.

Pelosi said that she was tested this morning but has not yet received her results. Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah said he has tested positive for the coronavirus as well. He was at the White House on Saturday meeting with Judge Amy Coney Barrett — they were photographed without masks. Lee said the test he took while visiting the White House was negative.

"Let us all just pray for the president's health. Thank God the vice president has tested negatively and the second lady as well," Pelosi said.

Pelosi said about the negotiations on a coronavirus relief bill, "this kind of changes the dynamic," adding, "they're seeing the reality as we've been saying all along:"

She said she was in touch with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who she met with in person, and notified her early this morning he tested negative.

The speaker, who is second in line of succession after the vice president, said she said she hasn't talked to anyone in the White House about any plans, but downplayed that issue saying it is the military that handles that issue and "continuity of government is always in place. "

"Maybe this will be the moment where people will say, 'O.K., masks, distances, sanitation, tracing, treatment.'"

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said he wished the president and first lady a "speedy recovery," and echoed some of Pelosi's criticism of the president's pandemic response. "What happened to President Trump is a reminder of why the whole country, including Senators and staff, must follow the science and follow the protocols laid out by the CDC and public health officials."

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he spoke to Trump Friday morning. He said the president is in "good spirits" and they talked about Judge Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court confirmation process.

Other members of Congress have been reacting to the president and first lady's positive tests, with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle expressing hopes for a quick recovery.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, tweeted "Ann and I wish the President and First Lady a swift and complete recovery. Our prayers are with them and all the others who have been afflicted with illness."

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla tweeted "Praying for a full and speedy recovery for @POTUS & @FLOTUS"

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, at age 87, is the second oldest member of the Senate, and is president pro-tempore of the Senate, which is third in the line of succession to the presidency. A spokesman says Grassley "will continue to follow guidance from the Senate's attending physician, the CDC and local health officials. We are not aware of any exposure to anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Sen. Grassley continues to take precautions to defend against contracting the virus."

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., tweeted that "There will be a lot to say about this, but let's start here: The President and the First Lady have a serious, deadly virus and we should all hope for a full recovery."

Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., expressed his good wishes for the Trumps, but also expressed concern for residents of his district. Trump held a fundraiser and rally in Minnesota Wednesday. Phillips tweeted that "COVID-19 is a serious and unpredictable disease, and I wish the President, First Lady, and Hope Hicks a speedy recovery. I also have those in my district in Minnesota who may have been exposed on my mind."

Other lawmakers told of how the disease has affected them and their families. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas tweeted that "My dad, 80, had it and was asymptomatic. My stepmom, 78, got it and died."

Other lawmakers expressed hope that the President's illness will lead to better health care for all Americans. Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán, D-Calif., tweeted that the president "will get treatment other Americans cannot," and that "All Americans deserve the same care."