After criticism, Trump honors McCain’s service to country
WASHINGTON (AP) – Following criticism from veterans and others, President Donald Trump broke his near-silence to recognize the late Sen. John McCain’s “service to our country” and ordered flags at the White House lowered in honor of his fellow Republican.
Before Trump’s statement Monday afternoon, his only commentary on McCain’s death last Saturday had been a perfunctory tweet after the death was announced. The lack of a formal statement – combined with the fact that White House flags had been flown at half-staff only briefly – had drawn strong criticism from Republicans and veterans’ groups as well as Democrats.
Later, at an evening dinner honoring evangelical leaders, Trump said “our hearts and prayers” are going to the McCain family “and we very much appreciate everything that Senator McCain has done for our country.”
President Donald Trump crosses his arms after speaking with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on the phone about a trade agreement between the United States and Mexico, in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Aug. 27, 2018, in Washington. Trump has bowed to widespread pressure from veterans groups and others to do more to honor John McCain’s death. Trump on Monday ordered flags at the White House and elsewhere lowered to half-staff until the six-term senator is buried Sunday. He also proclaimed “respect” for McCain, with whom he feuded bitterly for years. It was a marked reversal from Trump’s refusal to comment on McCain. Earlier Monday, the White House flag had been raised. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The American flag files at half-staff at the White House, Monday afternoon, Aug. 27, 2018, in Washington. Two days after Sen. John McCain’s death, President Donald Trump says he respects the senator’s “service to our country” and has signed a proclamation to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff until his burial. The flag atop the White House flew at half-staff over the weekend but was raised Monday and then lowered again amid criticism. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The American flag files at half-staff at the White House, Monday afternoon, Aug. 27, 2018, in Washington. Two days after Sen. John McCain’s death, President Donald Trump says he respects the senator’s “service to our country” and has signed a proclamation to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff until his burial. The flag atop the White House flew at half-staff over the weekend but was raised Monday and then lowered again amid criticism. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
An American flag above the White House flies at full-staff less than 48 hours after the death of Sen. John McCain, Monday, Aug. 27, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
The American flag flies at half-staff at the Capitol in honor of Sen. John McCain of Arizona who died Saturday of brain cancer, in Washington, Monday, Aug. 27, 2018. McCain will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda on Friday. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The desk of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is draped in black on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Monday, Aug. 27, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. McCain died at the age of 81, on Aug. 25, 2018, after battling brain cancer. (Senate Television via AP)
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