Acting defense secretary denies knowing of efforts to hide USS John McCain from Trump
Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan told reporters in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday that when he read about White House attempts to hide the USS John S. McCain from President Trump during Trump's Japan trip, "it was the first I heard about it." The Wall Street Journal, which broke the story, reported that Shanahan had been aware of the request, highlighted in an email to Navy and Air Force personnel.
"I never authorized, I never approved any action around the movement or activities regarding that ship," Shanahan said, adding that he "would never dishonor the memory of a great American patriot like Sen. McCain" and will ask his chief of staff to look into the reports. Several White House and military officials have confirmed that the White House wanted the USS John McCain at least hidden from photos while Trump was in Japan, but some are pushing back on certain details.
Two U.S. officials, for example, told The Associated Press that the tarp placed over the USS John McCain's name before Trump arrived was for maintenance, the McCain's crew was not told to stay away from Trump's speech Tuesday on the nearby USS Wasp, and all 800 sailors who attended Trump's speech wore the same Navy hat with no logo or ship names. "Navy officials insisted they did not hide the ship," The New York Times reports, but "they did give all of the sailors aboard the day off on Tuesday as Mr. Trump visited Yokosuka Naval Base."
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.
Two Navy sailors tell the Times that the McCain crew was the only one of about 20 ships not invited to hear Trump speak. One Yokosuka-based Navy service member added that "when several sailors from the McCain showed up anyway, wearing their uniforms with the ship's insignia, they were turned away," the Times reports. Sailors wearing round patches with Trump's image and "Make Airmen Great Again" were allowed in to hear Trump speak.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Magazine solutions - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
'Box Trump in for real if he pulls another stunt. Put him behind bars.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published