Orrin Hatch thinks it's 'ridiculous' McCain doesn't want Trump at his funeral


Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) has appointed himself the arbiter of all guest lists, and he isn't happy that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) doesn't want the man who mocked him for being a POW at his own funeral.
Hatch said it's "ridiculous" that McCain, who is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, has reportedly said he would like President Trump to stay away from his funeral, preferring Vice President Mike Pence attend. "Well, he's the president of the United States and he's a very good man," Hatch said on Monday. "But it's up to [McCain]. I think John should have his own wishes fulfilled with regard to who attends the funeral." Presumably, McCain is super grateful for Hatch's blessing.
Hatch wasn't finished gabbing about McCain, revealing that he has been told McCain, who is at home in Arizona, won't return to the Senate. "I hope he does," Hatch said. "I hope he can." Later, a spokesman for Hatch told CNN he spoke "out of turn about Sen. McCain's status. He's been pleased to hear reports that Sen. McCain is in good spirits and hopes to see him back in Washington soon." Hatch, 84, is retiring at the end of this year, giving him tons of free time to spread more rumors and critique funeral plans.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Robot kickboxing, milk for a god, and more
-
Gazer: 'paranoid noir chiller' is a gripping watch
The Week Recommends Ryan J. Sloan's debut film is haunted with 'skin-crawling unease'
-
William Kentridge: The Pull of Gravity – a 'bold' exhibition
The Week Recommends The South African artist brings his distinctive works to Yorkshire Sculpture Park
-
Harris rules out run for California governor
Speed Read The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee ended months of speculation about her plans for the contest
-
Trump sets new tariff rates as deadline nears
Speed Read New tariff rates for South Korea, Brazil and India announced
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardon
Talking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
Senate confirms Trump loyalist Bove to top court
Speed Read The president's former criminal defense lawyer was narrowly approved to earn a lifetime seat
-
Ghislaine Maxwell offers testimony for immunity
Speed Read The convicted sex trafficker offered to testify to Congress about her relationship with late boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein
-
Judge halts GOP defunding of Planned Parenthood
Speed Read The Trump administration can't withhold Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood, said the ruling
-
Trump contradicts Israel, says 'starvation' in Gaza
Speed Read The president suggests Israel could be doing more to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets