First daughter Ivanka Trump extended her sympathy at an event Monday to the McCain family following Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) death Saturday.
"I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Sen. John McCain, an American patriot who served our country with distinction for more than 6 decades,” she said in a brief statement during her speech at the Organization of American States. “The nation is united in its grief, and the world mourns the loss of a true hero and a great statesman."
Ivanka Trump: "I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Sen. John McCain, an American patriot who served our country with distinction for more than 6 decades. The nation is united in its grief, and the world mourns the loss of a true hero and a great statesman." pic.twitter.com/iiDZtFUxRB
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 27, 2018
Her statement comes following the press’s scrutiny over the White House only flying the flag at half-staff for two days after McCain’s passing rather than until his burial as is customary. The flag is now at half-staff again.
"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," President Trump said in a statement Monday afternoon.
"I have asked Vice President Mike Pence to offer an address at the ceremony honoring Senator McCain at the United States Capitol this Friday," he added.
Defense Department guidelines only call for flags to be flown at half-staff "from the day of death through the following day" after the death of a US senator or member of Congress. The President has the authority to authorize a longer mourning period.
The president also faced scrutiny from the press over his brief statement on McCain’s passing and for ignoring shouted questions for comment on the matter earlier Monday.
"Why won't you say anything about John McCain?"@jonkarl asked Pres. Trump ten times today to comment on Senator John McCain, who passed away this weekend at age 81. The president did not respond. https://t.co/HebITj8csN pic.twitter.com/iwKYhGRaNj
— ABC News (@ABC) August 27, 2018
President Trump was a frequent critic of McCain and will not be attending his funeral, reportedly in accordance with McCain’s wishes.