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.
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.
-
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
-
Global court issues arrest warrant for Netanyahu
Speed Read The International Criminal Court issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who stand accused of war crimes
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz bows out, Trump pivots to Pam Bondi
Speed Read Gaetz withdrew from attorney generation consideration, making way for longtime Trump loyalist Pam Bondi
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
GOP's Mace seeks federal anti-trans bathroom ban
Speed Read Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has introduced legislation to ban transgender people from using federal facilities
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine fires ATACMS, Russia ups hybrid war
Speed Read Ukraine shot U.S.-provided long-range missiles and Russia threatened retaliation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New York DA floats 4-year Trump sentencing freeze
Speed Read President-elect Donald Trump's sentencing is on hold, and his lawyers are pushing to dismiss the case while he's in office
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Wyoming judge strikes down abortion, pill bans
Speed Read The judge said the laws — one of which was a first-in-the-nation prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy — violated the state's constitution
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US sanctions Israeli West Bank settler group
Speed Read The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Amana, Israel's largest settlement development organization
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz ethics report in limbo as sex allegations emerge
Speed Read A lawyer representing two women alleges that Matt Gaetz paid them for sex, and one witnessed him having sex with minor
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published