McCain: Trump’s ‘Pocahontas’ crack an insult to Native American veterans’ sacrifice

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Tuesday said President Trump insulted the sacrifice of Native American veterans when he made a “Pocahontas” crack at a White House ceremony honoring them. 

“Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Navajo Code Talkers, whose bravery, skill & tenacity helped secure our decisive victory over tyranny & oppression during WWII,” McCain tweeted.

“Politicizing these genuine American heroes is an insult to their sacrifice.”

Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Navajo Code Talkers, whose bravery, skill & tenacity helped secure our decisive victory over tyranny & oppression during WWII. Politicizing these genuine American heroes is an insult to their sacrifice.

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) November 28, 2017

Trump referred to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) as “Pocahontas” at the event on Monday, an insult that critics have condemned for being inappropriate and having racial undertones. 

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The president has frequently called Warren “Pocahontas” as a jab at her self-proclaimed Native American ancestry. 

McCain, the chairman for the Senate Armed Services Committee and a Vietnam war veteran, has previously clashed with the president on issues including Trump’s attempted ban of transgender troops from the military.