Washington Aug 28 (IANS) US President Donald Trump offered brief praised for the late Republican Senator John McCain who passed away on August 25 in a statement after responding only with silence to questions about the Vietnam War veteran turned politician.
"Despite our differences on policy and politics I respect Senator John McCain s service to our country " Trump wrote in the four-paragraph statement on Monday which dealt mainly in the logistical details he had approved for the week-long remembrance ceremonies.
Later while meeting Evangelical leaders in the State Dining Room Trump told reporters: "Our hearts and prayers are going to the family of Senator John McCain... And we very much appreciate everything Sen. McCain has done for our country " CNN reported.
After facing criticism for raising the flags at the White House to full-staff after lowering them on Saturday Trump said he had approved them to be lowered again.
It is a customary tradition in the US that after the death of a person such as McCain - a Vietnam War veteran and prisoner of war who was tortured during his captivity ultimately served for decades in the Senate and was the Republican presidential nominee in 2008 - for flags to be lowered to half-staff until after the funeral.
He also wrote that he asked Vice President Mike Pence to deliver remarks at a ceremony celebrating McCain s life in the US Capitol on Friday.
Asked what had changed and why the proclamation was issued on Monday press secretary Sarah Sanders would only say this was the "President s decision to do and the statement speaks for itself".
Monday s statement came after Trump maintained his silence during a string of appearances in front of the media choosing to ignore questions about the late Arizona Republican.
On Sunday when he was questioned whether he believed McCain -- a former Navy pilot who was shot down over Vietnam -- was a hero Trump remained stone-faced behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office after announcing a trade breakthrough with Mexico.
The President had openly feuded with McCain even as the Senator was dying from brain cancer.
McCain is scheduled to be buried on September 2 at the Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland after a funeral service is held at the National Cathedral in Washington on Saturday.

--IANS ksk