President Trump Releases Another Statement On John McCain

The White House’s reaction to John McCain’s passing has been an ongoing subject of controversy. Earlier, we found out that Trump put the kibosh to the White House’s prepared statement on John McCain. You can read about that here.

The drama hasn’t stopped there.

The flag on the White House was lowered to half staff on Saturday night but raised to full staff on Monday. That move was met with immense criticism– so much that the White House lowered it to half staff once again.

Flag back at full staff atop WH. Pres Trump did not issue proclamation on the death of @SenJohnMcCain, which usually calls for flags to remain at half-staff through the day of interment, which is Sunday at the @NavalAcademy. pic.twitter.com/NGasNPT0VB

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 27, 2018

Knoller notes that Mr. Trump did not issue a formal proclamation on McCain’s death. Typical practice is for flags to remain at half-staff through the day of interment. McCain’s final resting service will take place Sunday at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

The American Legion even wrote a letter to Trump, urging him to follow established protocol.

“Mr. President, just this year, you released presidential proclamations noting the deaths of Barbara Bush and Billy Graham. Senator John McCain was an American hero and cherished member of The American Legion. As I’m certain you are aware, he served five and a half years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam and retired from the U.S. Navy at the rank of Captain. He then served in the U.S. Congress for more than three decades.

On the behalf of The American Legion’s two million wartime veterans, I strongly urge you to make an appropriate presidential proclamation noting Senator McCain’s death and legacy of service to our nation, and that our nation’s flag be half-staffed through his internment.”

He followed suit…

Flag atop White House lowered again to half-staff. Pres Trump was urged by GOP and Dem Senate leaders to honor @SenJohnMcCain until his day of interment on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Org0ZgPXge

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 27, 2018

There’s been a lot of focus on this today, but the White House flag is now at half staff, after being fully raised earlier in the day. pic.twitter.com/MPZvGjnN7T

— Eamon Javers (@EamonJavers) August 27, 2018

…and released a statement.

“Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment,” the statement read.

In a written statement, Pres Trump says:

"Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment.

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 27, 2018

Statement from @POTUS on Senator McCain. pic.twitter.com/kwM6VIQdnM

— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) August 27, 2018

Additionally:

Pres Trump further says he has asked the @VP to offer remarks at the ceremony honoring Sen McCain at Capitol on Friday. And has also asked WH Chief of Staff John Kelly, DefSec Mattis and NSA @AmbJohnBolton to represent the Administration at funeral services for McCain.

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 27, 2018

h/t CBS News