McConnell calls McCain a ‘rare patriot’ and ‘American hero’ after Trump criticism

“Today and every day I miss my good friend John McCain,” McConnell tweeted. “It was a blessing to serve alongside a rare patriot and genuine American hero in the Senate. His memory continues to remind me every day that our nation is sustained by the sacrifices of heroes.”

Today and every day I miss my good friend John McCain. It was a blessing to serve alongside a rare patriot and genuine American hero in the Senate. His memory continues to remind me every day that our nation is sustained by the sacrifices of heroes.

— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) March 20, 2019

McConnell’s tribute comes during a week in which Trump has lobbed numerous attacks against the former Arizona senator. Trump went after McCain on multiple occasions over the weekend after reports surfaced that one of the then-senator’s associates had shared a dossier of allegations about Trump’s ties to Russia with the media. 

{mosads}”So it was indeed (just proven in court papers) ‘last in his class’ (Annapolis) John McCain that sent the Fake Dossier to the FBI and Media hoping to have it printed BEFORE the Election,” Trump tweeted on Sunday. “He & the Dems, working together, failed (as usual). Even the Fake News refused this garbage!”

Trump doubled down on his criticism on Tuesday, telling reporters at the Oval Office that he was “never a fan of John McCain.”

“And I never will be,” he added. 

McCain, who served in Vietnam before a long career in public service, died of brain cancer in August at the age of 81. McCain spoke out against Trump repeatedly during his final years in the Senate, and drew the president’s ire after voting against the GOP effort to repeal ObamaCare in 2017.

Trump has occasionally derided McCain since his death for voting against the effort. Many Democratic lawmakers have condemned Trump’s most recent comments. Some GOP lawmakers have also come to McCain’s defense. 

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) praised McCain’s service to the U.S. on Sunday, saying that “nothing about his service will ever be changed or diminished.”