Acting defense secretary denies knowing of efforts to hide USS John McCain from Trump

(Image credit: Spc. 2nd Class Joshua Fulton/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

published 30 May 2019

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."

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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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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.