The pallbearers and speakers who will participate in the late Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) memorial service and a ceremony at the Capitol this upcoming weekend have been announced.
McCain was lauded throughout his life for maintaining friendships and striking deals across the aisle, and the ceremonies commemorating his life reflect that disposition.
The pallbearers, who will help carry his coffin at the Washington National Cathedral memorial service on Saturday, include actor Warren Beatty, former Vice President Joe Biden, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), former Sen. Gary Hart (D-Colo.), former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge (R), McCain’s former chief of staff Mark Salter, founder and president of FedEx Fred Smith, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Vice Chairman of Open Russia Vladimir Kara-Murza, longtime fundraiser Carla Eudy, businessman Stephen Dart and former McCain presidential campaign manager Richard Davis.{mosads}
Each of the pallbearers is listed as a “friend” of McCain’s in a schedule of events shared by the senator’s office.
Tributes and readings will be offered by former President George W. Bush, former President Obama, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) and former Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), as well as several family members. All those who are not family members are listed as friends of McCain’s as well.
The former GOP presidential nominee is scheduled to lie in state at the Capitol on Friday, an honor that has been granted to only 30 public figures in U.S. history. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), and Vice President Pence are slated to make remarks at the ceremony.
President Trump is not scheduled to speak at any of the events honoring McCain.
He also will not be attending McCain’s funeral on Sunday, though the president said in a statement on Monday that he is sending administration officials in his place, including White House chief of staff John Kelly, national security adviser John Bolton and Defense Secretary James Mattis.
McCain died on Saturday evening, a year after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. He reportedly did not invite Trump, with whom he had a fraught relationship, to his funeral.
McCain will also lie in state in the Arizona state Capitol earlier in the week.