'Heavens weep' for John McCain as his casket is carried into Capitol building
The rain started pouring the moment the late Sen. John McCain's flag-covered casket emerged from its hearse, pelting the honor guard soldiers who carried the venerated Arizona Republican to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, where he will lie in state.
The storm seemed to surround only Capitol Hill, as CNN's Steve Brusk tweeted that it wasn't raining three blocks away. Others pointed out that the rain stopped quickly after McCain's body made it inside. An onlooker compared it to "the heavens weeping" for McCain, who died Saturday at 81. He was honored at the Capitol on Friday, where viewers will be able to pay respect through the evening. He will be buried Sunday in Maryland.
Lawmakers, Cabinet members, and McCain's family gathered in Washington on Friday, the day after a massive memorial service in Arizona for the senator. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), and Vice President Mike Pence all spoke at the ceremony. Dozens of other onlookers filled seats and stood packed inside the rotunda to honor McCain; public viewing will begin at 1 p.m.
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.
After the service, attendees lined up to individually bid farewell to McCain before leaving the Capitol — and the clouds left the Hill along with them. Kathryn Krawczyk
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
4 ways to give back this holiday season
The Explainer If your budget is feeling squeezed, remember that money is not the only way you can be generous around the holidays
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
4 tips for hosting an ecofriendly Thanksgiving
The Week Recommends Coming together for the holidays typically produces a ton of waste, but with proper preparation, you can have an environmentally friendly gathering.
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published