Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer forcefully responded to criticism by President Trump late Thursday, saying he’s “appalled” by the commander-in-chief’s letter blasting him as a “bad” senator.

The New York Democrat, appearing on MSNBC, had previously written the White House asking Trump to appoint a military official as a czar to manage production and distribution of medical equipment and other supplies while invoking the Defense Production Act.

“I spoke to the president late this afternoon and explained it and the result is this letter,” Schumer said. “And so I’m just appalled. You know I say to the president, just stop the pettiness. People are dying and so, President Trump, we need leadership. We need to get the job done. Stop the pettiness.”

Schumer sent his letter with the “best intentions,” he told MSNBC’s Chris Hayes.

“And it’s a mystery to me why the president doesn’t invoke this,” Schumer continued. “It’s desperately needed, most experts agree that it’s needed and lives are at stake.”

Schumer’s appearance came just hours after Trump tore into him Thursday, calling him a “bad” senator whose focus on impeachment efforts left New Yorkers “completely unprepared” for the coronavirus pandemic.

“No wonder AOC and others are thinking about running against you in the primary,” Trump wrote. “If they did, they would likely win.”

Schumer also appeared on CNN late Wednesday to urge Trump to appoint a senior military officer to lead the administration’s use of the Defense Production Act, which would force companies to manufacture masks, ventilators and other medical equipment.

“Thank you for your Democrat public relations letter and incorrect sound bites, which are wrong in every way,” Trump’s letter continued, adding, “A ‘senior military officer’ is in charge of purchasing, distributing, etc. His name is Rear Admiral John Polowczyk … If you remember, my team gave you this information, but for public relations purposes, you choose to ignore it.”