2LT International News

WASHINGTON, U.S. – In delivering an official reaction to the death of 81-year-old U.S. Senator John McCain, who was a Vietnam War hero and a two-time Republican presidential candidate – the U.S. President Donald Trump tried and failed to hide his longtime disdain for his most outspoken Republican critics.

Senator McCain, who survived nearly six years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam and had a congressional career spanning three and a half decades, died on Saturday after a yearlong battle with brain cancer.

His office said on Saturday that the senator’s wife, Cindy and family were at his side. 

Yet as prominent figures across the world of politics kept past differences aside and honored the life and legacy of McCain, lauding his heroism, sense of duty and patriotism – the one voice that remained missing was from the country’s commander-in-chief, the person who was duty bound to honor the senator.

Trump’s brief reactions to McCain’s passing started on Saturday, shortly after the news was announced. 

The President sent out a two-line tweet, writing on August 26, “My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!”

Then, he posted a photo on Instagram, which featured the same message, but instead of the the senator’s photo, it featured a photo of Trump. 

Anger over Trump’s curt message and the White House’s largely muted reaction remained mild, even though Trump was criticized for failing to follow the presidential precedent for responding to the death of impactful Americans.

A report in the Washington Post stated that the presidential precedent in such cases has been to release statements honoring the lives of those impactful Americans. 

Further, the report pointed out that many members of the president’s cabinet, including Vice President Mike Pence, and former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush issued such statements.

In fact, even First lady Melania Trump thanked Senator McCain for his service.

On Monday morning, the Post revealed in a report that the White House had prepared a statement to pay tribute to Senator McCain but Trump had decided not to release it. 

The report pointed out that Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Chief of Staff John Kelly and other officials wanted the statement to call Senator McCain a hero for his service in the Vietnam War and time in the Senate – but Trump instead opted to tweet his brief statement.

A report in CNN noted that the official statement went through internal approvals and was supposed to be sent out when the news of Senator McCain’s death broke.

The President also ordered the flags on the White House flown at half-staff on Saturday.

Later on Monday, photos of the White House showing the American flags had returned to full-staff, leading to significant backlash for the White House and Trump.

At a news conference on Sunday, Trump refused to take questions by reporters seeking comments on McCain’s legacy.

Reports pointed out that the White House had been operating under a protocol of keeping the flag at half-staff for a day and a half following the death of a sitting member of Congress – in this situation, McCain was much more – he was a war veteran. 

Adding to the fury against the administration, reports quickly pointed out that flags at the U.S. Capitol and key government installations remained at half-staff through McCain’s interment on Sunday and will continue until end of week.

Some departments, like the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs said, “the flag is to be flown at half-staff … on the day and day after the death of a United States senator, representative,” or other leaders. 

The issue drew a lot of criticism for Trump after two prominent veterans groups blasted White House officials for “disrespect” in their response to McCain’s death.

The group’s leaders insisted that the Navy veteran deserved more national recognition

As per the country’s laws, if flags at national buildings are to be lowered for more days than needed, to honour someone important then the President has to issue an official proclamation.

On Monday, following intense backlash, not only from veteran groups, but also from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle – Trump eventually issued the proclamation marking McCain’s passing.yo

Amid the growing anger against the administration, McCain’s family spokesman and former campaign manager, Rick Davis read out a pointed, posthumous message from the senator.  

Davis read out the statement, in which McCain wrote, “We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.”

He wrote, “We are citizens of the world’s greatest republic, a nation of ideals, not blood and soil. Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.”

He ended the letter with, “Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.”