Sarah Huckabee Sanders calls McCain ‘American Hero,’ says she will ‘absolutely’ attend funeral

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Sunday called Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) an American hero and said she would definitely attend the senator’s funeral.

“Absolutely,” Sanders said when a TMZ reporter asked her if she would attend the Senate giant’s funeral.

{mosads}“He was an American hero,” Sanders continued, calling McCain’s death Saturday evening “a great loss for our country.”

Sanders’s comments came after President Trump reportedly nixed plans for a White House statement praising McCain, instead issuing a more neutral tweet of condolences.

My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2018

The president had previously said that McCain, who survived torture in a North Vietnamese POW camp, is not a war hero.

After facing criticism of his response, the president on Monday somewhat changed his tone on the late senator. 

After the White House re-lowered the flag to half-mast on Monday afternoon, Trump issued a new statement saying that despite “difference on policy and politics” he respects McCain’s “service to our country” and stating he has asked Vice President Pence to deliver remarks at a ceremony on Friday.

Unlike Sanders, the president has confirmed he will not be attending McCain’s funeral.