The White House asked the U.S. Navy to make sure a warship named for late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) would be “out of sight” ahead of President Trump’s visit to Japan over the weekend, according to an email obtained by The Wall Street Journal.
The email, dated May 15, included an outline of plans for the president’s arrival, including instructions for the ship.
“USS John McCain needs to be out of sight,” the email reportedly read. “Please confirm #3 will be satisfied.”
Officials, including acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, were aware of the concern about the USS John McCain and approved measures so that it would not be visible during Trump’s visit, an official told the Wall Street Journal.
The ship has been stationed at the Yokosuka Naval Base near the USS Wasp, where Trump delivered Memorial Day remarks and visited U.S. officers.
Before Trump’s address, a tarp was hung over the USS John McCain’s name and sailors were reportedly directed to remove any coverings that showed the ship’s name. A barge was also reportedly moved near the ship to make it harder to see its name from the USS Wasp.
The Journal also reported that sailors on the ship, who normally wear caps with its name, were given the day off when Trump gave his address.
Trump visited two military outfits to cap off his weekend trip to Japan. The president then met with U.S. troops aboard the USS Wasp, where he wished them a “very happy Memorial Day.”
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JUST IN: Trump admin asked for USS John McCain to be "out of sight" during visit to Japan: report https://t.co/7vDj4GAHv2 pic.twitter.com/QiZDxWIlwo
— The Hill (@thehill) May 30, 2019
Go ahead, “patriots.” Make more excuses for this disgraceful childishness. https://t.co/W1XxiFsjkh
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) May 29, 2019
Hey fellow historians. Here is your opening anecdote for your Age of Trump book. https://t.co/fpNuu8Blxa
— Mike Bowen (@DrMBowen) May 29, 2019
Childish indeed. McCain is gone. Why can’t Trump grow up and move on?
Definite mental illness here.
Then why not discipline whoever was responsible for this utter disgrace? https://t.co/CKNQRskzKl
— Steven Pifer (@steven_pifer) May 30, 2019
Managing up https://t.co/mxou1KGCV2
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) May 30, 2019
From our own reporting:
1) White House did ask for McCain to be covered up.
2) Navy initially did until senior officials intervened
3) Tarp was up on Friday. Removed Saturday, assumedly after senior officer intervention. Trump visit came after.— Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) May 30, 2019
and now CNBC has the email in questionhttps://t.co/mYnQXMdjCM
— Chris Alexander (@pazzo83) May 30, 2019
I'm dying pic.twitter.com/z05Wup2Fgm
— Andrew 'It's Still Easter' Egger (@EggerDC) May 30, 2019
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