‘Ironically, It Took John McCain To Bring Donald Trump To His Knees Over The U.S. Flag’
President Donald Trump’s refusal as Commander-in-Chief to pay respects to Sen. John McCain has drawn national outrage, and in response Trump has finally, although grudgingly, reversed course. The White House flag is back at half-staff and the president issued a half-hearted statement paying tribute, if you can call it that, to the late Arizona Senator’s memory.
But Trump’s personal resentment of Senator McCain has guided his actions and too much damage has been caused.
First, here was Trump today being asked if he had anything to say about the late Republican Senator.
The White House posted the statement to its Twitter account, and the Press Secretary also tweeted it out. Neither President Trump’s @POTUS account nor his personal @realDonaldTrump account have tweeted the statement.
Trump is being berated on social media:
Just how petty?
Read Trump’s statement, released late Monday afternoon, about 48 hours after Sen. McCain’s passing:
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.
Missing from Trump’s remarks: the words “hero,” “statesman,” and “patriot.”