Trumps to attend state funeral for George H.W. Bush
Donald Trump set aside differences in politics and temperament Saturday to honor iconic American and former President George H.W. Bush a day after his death.
Trump declared a period of national mourning and ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days to honor a man of "sound judgment, common sense and unflappable leadership." The president and first lady Melania Trump added that Bush had "inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service."
Bush, who was president from 1989 to 1993, was 94.
Trump, who upended the GOP establishment with his insurgent presidential campaign, has had a fractious relationship with the Bush family. He ran against one of Bush's sons, Jeb Bush, in the GOP presidential primaries in 2016, and was sharply critical of the two-term presidency of another son, George W. Bush.
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The White House announced Saturday that the Trumps would attend a state funeral for the former president at Washington's National Cathedral.
The announcement marked a reversal from earlier this year, when the president was pointedly not invited to the funeral of former first lady Barbara Bush, the family matriarch and the late president's wife of 73 years. Melania Trump attended instead.
The Trumps were informed of Bush's death late Friday while in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the Group of 20 summit of rich and developing nations.
Trump said he spoke with former President George W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to express his sympathies. He praised the elder Bush, who died Friday, as "a high-quality man who truly loved his family."
Sitting alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he refused to answer whether he had any regrets over his past criticism of the Bushes. He did say that Bush's death "really puts a damper" on his participation at the summit.
In South America, Trump canceled a planned news conference, tweeting that "out of respect for the Bush Family and former President George H.W. Bush we will wait until after the funeral" to hold one.
Trump also designated Wednesday as a national day of mourning. He encouraged Americans to gather in places of worship "to pay homage" to Bush's memory, adding, "I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance."
The proclamation hails Bush as "one of America's greatest points of light," a reference to one of the former leader's signature phrases about the impact of American civic culture.
Trump mocked the "points of light" phrase at some of his campaign rallies this year. He contrasted it with his own campaign slogan, saying "Putting America first, we understand. Thousand points of light, I never quite got that one."
In August 2015, Trump tweeted a dig at the presidency of George H.W. Bush, writing: "The last thing we need is another Bush in the White House. Would be the same old thing (remember "read my lips, no more taxes"). GREATNESS!"
As a candidate, Bush promised "no new taxes" but reversed himself in office.
Those harsh assessments were set aside in the Trumps' comments Saturday.
"President Bush guided our nation and the world to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War," the Trumps wrote. "As President, he set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed."
"And through all that he accomplished, he remained humble, following the quiet call to service that gave him a clear sense of direction."
They wrote that those whom Bush had inspired to public service were "illuminating the greatness, hope and opportunity of America to the world."
Trump, the 45th president, paid tribute to "the life and legacy of 41."
The order for flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days mirrored the order given by President George W. Bush in 2006, when former President Gerald Ford died. Bush ordered flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days after Ford's death.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota issued a statement Saturday saying that with Bush's passing, "America has lost a true leader.
"George H.W. Bush was the last World War II veteran to serve as president. He was a true statesman, and he treated both his friends and rivals with grace and dignity. He also viewed the world through the lens of history, which was often the guiding force in his approach to diplomacy. His commitment to country was unshakeable, and he instilled this value in his own children. My prayers are with the entire Bush family today."
MPR News contributed to this report.