Nearly two full days after the death of Senator John McCain, President Donald Trump has issued a White House statement on the Arizona senator.
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.
I have asked Vice President Mike Pence to offer an address at the ceremony honoring Senator McCain at the United States Capitol this Friday.
At the request of the McCain family, I have also authorized military transportation of Senator McCain’s remains from Arizona to Washington, D.C., military pallbearers and band support, and a horse and caisson transport during the service at the United States Naval Academy.
Finally, I have asked General John Kelly, Secretary James Mattis, and Ambassador John Bolton to represent my Administration at his services.
President Trump did issue a tweet on Saturday offering condolences to McCain's family. It was reported on Monday morning that a White House proclamation on McCain's death had been drafted over the weekend, but not released.
Shortly before the President's statement was released, the flag atop the White House was lowered to half-staff. The White House flag had been flying at full-staff throughout Monday, while the rest of the federal government flew the flag at half-staff.
McCain and Trump have butted heads often in the past few years. During his presidential campaign, Trump told reporters that he didn't think McCain was a hero, saying that he liked people who "weren't captured." McCain was also the deciding vote that sunk President Trump's healthcare bill that would have replaced the Affordable Care Act.
McCain also failed to back Trump in the 2016 election and made comments that President Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric has "fired up the crazies."
