Washington • A day after Sen. Orrin Hatch said it was “ridiculous” that Sen. John McCain didn’t want President Donald Trump at his funeral, the Utah Republican is apologizing.
Meghan McCain lashed out Tuesday at Hatch for weighing in on her father’s dying wishes. The Arizona senator is battling life-threatening brain cancer.
“I’d like everybody to take a collective breath and chill out on my dad for a second — especially Orrin Hatch,” Meghan McCain said on ABC’s “The View,” a program she co-hosts.
Hatch told The Washington Post that he was wrong to make off-the-cuff remarks to reporters Monday about McCain’s plans.
“I agree with the daughter,” Hatch told the newspaper. “I shouldn’t have said anything yesterday. I agree 100 percent with her.”
Speaking to reporters in the Senate hallways on Monday, Hatch was asked about McCain’s remarks to friends that he had asked the White House to send Vice President Mike Pence to his funeral but not Trump.
“I think that’s ridiculous,” Hatch said.
“He’s the president of the United States and he’s a very good man,” Hatch said. “But it’s up to [McCain]. I think John should have his own wishes fulfilled with regard to who attends the funeral.”
Hatch also said that he would like McCain to return to the Senate but that he’s heard it wasn’t likely.
The senator’s office quickly walked back that comment, saying that Hatch “spoke out of turn.”
On Tuesday, Hatch sent a letter to McCain apologizing for both comments, Hatch’s office confirmed.
