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.
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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.
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