Veterans group to hand out USS John McCain T-shirts for July 4 on the National Mall

Veterans organizations plan to hand out USS John McCain T-shirts on the Fourth of July during President Trump’s speech on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Progressive group VoteVets and Rags of Honor announced Friday that they are honoring the former Arizona Republican following Trump’s public attacks on the late senator.

The T-shirts feature the Navy destroyer with its nickname, “Big Bad John,” that the White House asked to have moved out of the way during Trump’s visit to Japan last month. 

Veterans will also visit the House and Senate office buildings to distribute the shirts to members of Congress.

“Whether it was Sen. McCain, his father, his grandfather or his sons, the McCain family has given more to this country than most, and America’s birthday seems like a great time to honor that service and sacrifice,” said Mark Doyle, founder of Rags of Honor. “After all, people like them – and there aren’t many – made these kinds of celebrations possible.”

McCain and Trump frequently clashed while the former was alive, and the president has continued to criticize the lawmaker after his death.

The ship has been stationed at the Yokosuka Naval Base near the USS Wasp, where Trump delivered Memorial Day remarks and visited U.S. officers.

Before Trump’s address, a tarp was hung over the USS John McCain’s name and sailors were reportedly directed to remove any coverings that showed the ship’s name.

Trump said he was not informed about the request to the U.S. Navy but said whoever made the order was “well-meaning.” 

The president is planning to give a speech at the traditionally nonpartisan event celebrating the nation’s birthday.

The schedule includes his “Salute to America” address from the Lincoln Memorial, military demonstrations and flyovers involving one of the jets used as Air Force One.