After a severe backlash that included veterans groups, Republicans, Democrats and blistering attacks on social media, President Trump late Monday finally expressed “respect” for Sen. John McCain, and ordered flags to fly at half-staff following a widespread criticism of his response to the Senate icon’s passing.
Trump faced a backlash earlier Monday after flags over the White House returned to full-staff after having been lowered over the weekend for just over a day.
“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,” Trump said in a statement released by the White House.
Trump said he has asked Vice President Pence to speak at a memorial service for McCain at the Capitol on Friday and approved military transportation to move the senator’s body from Arizona to Washington, D.C.
Trump was not invited to the funeral, but former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush were both asked to deliver remarks.