John McCain wanted Obama and Bush to speak at his funeral, but Trump's not invited
- President Donald Trump is not invited to the late Sen. John McCain's funeral.
- McCain reportedly said before he died he did not want Trump at the service, which much of Washington is expected to attend.
- The two most recent presidents and McCain's former election opponents, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, have been asked to speak at the service at Washington's National Cathedral.
- McCain's death prompted an outpouring of praise from Washington, and his funeral proceedings include the rare honor to lie in state at the US Capitol.
Americans from Arizona to Washington, DC will have the chance to pay their respects to Sen. John McCain at multiple memorials planned to honor the six-term Senator and war hero, who died at the age of 81 on Saturday.
But President Donald Trump will likely not be among the attendees.
Before his death, The New York Times reported that Trump was not going to be invited to McCain's funeral. Two White House officials confirmed to the Associated Press that the president was asked not to attend.
The two feuded for years. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump mocked McCain's military service. The son and grandson of Navy admirals, McCain served 22 years in the US Navy, five-and-a-half of which he spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.
"He's not a war hero," Trump said in July 2015. "He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured."
McCain issued some blistering statements condemning Trump's behavior - from when the 2005 tape of Trump making lewd comments about women emerged in October 2016 to when Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July, which McCain called "disgraceful."
As president, Trump continued to throw subtle jabs at McCain after the Arizona senator voiced his opposition on matters of foreign policy, healthcare, and immigration.
McCain's death at the age of 81 due to complications from brain cancer prompted a widespread outpouring of praise for his life and career from Washington heavyweights. Minority leader Chuck Schumer even called to rename the Russell Senate Office Building in McCain's honor.
Trump tweeted: "My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!"
The White House has not issued a more robust statement since Trump's tweet.
Trump reportedly rejected a statement from his aides praising McCain, saying he wanted to post his own statement on Twitter instead, the Washington Post reported on Sunday. He also didn't issue a presidential proclamation to keep the White House flags at half-mast, and they returned to full mast on Monday morning.
McCain's funeral arrangements
After three decades in Congress, his former colleagues announced McCain would lie in state in the US Capitol, making him the 33rd person and 13th senator to receive the rare honor of his casket being placed in the Rotunda.
The public will have the opportunity to pay their respects in Phoenix and DC, and there will be two separate services, with some public seating at the one in Arizona, but the one in Washington will be by invitation only.
McCain's memorials include:
- Wednesday, August 29
- Lying in state at the Arizona State Capitol
- Open to the public starting at 2 p.m. PT
- A livestream will be available
- Thursday, August 30
- Service at the North Phoenix Baptist Church
- Limited public seating by request
- A livestream will be available
- Friday, August 31
- Lying in state at the US Capitol
- Open to the public 2-8 p.m. ET
- A livestream will be available
- Saturday, September 1
- Service at Washington National Cathedral
- Private event by invitation only
- A livestream will be available
Though Trump wasn't invited, Vice President Mike Pence is expected to attend McCain's funeral. And scores of politicians, members of the military, and other Washington heavyweights will attend, as well.
McCain will be buried at his Annapolis, Maryland alma mater, the United States Naval Academy, next to his best friend, Adm. Chuck Larson.
Bush and Obama were asked to speak
Former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, two men to whom McCain lost his bids to the presidency, will deliver eulogies at the Washington National Cathedral service on Saturday, CBS News confirmed.
Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona said on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday that McCain's choice to include his former running opponents was a significant reach across the political divide that represents McCain's style well.
"These were bitter contests, both of them," Flake said. "To ask them to speak at your funeral, and for them to be honored at the opportunity, that tells you all you need to know."
Remembering the life and legacy of John McCain:
- Former presidents, congressional leaders, and the military commend John McCain's storied life and service
- Sen. Lindsey Graham gives an emotional statement after John McCain's death
- 'We know that his flame lives on, in each of us': Meghan McCain remembers her father
- Trump offers his condolences to McCain's family after his death
- 10 of John McCain's best quotes on courage, happiness, and character
- 10 photos show John McCain's heroism in Vietnam and his lasting impact on the US military
- The incredible life of John McCain, in photos
- A look at the life and fortune of John McCain, who has a sprawling real estate portfolio and donated $1.7 million in book sales to charity
- In his new book, McCain revealed how he found out he had brain cancer
- As a POW in Vietnam, John McCain refused release until his fellow prisoners were freed, making him a hero in the eyes of many
- Politicians are backing Sen. Schumer's call to rename the Russell Senate Office Building for John McCain