Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain called on President Trump to denounce new attacks on his White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster.
“The recent attacks upon him from the so-called ‘alt-right’ are disgraceful,” McCain, R-Ariz., said in a statement Monday. “Since this fringe movement cannot attract the support of decent Americans, it resorts to impugning the character of a good man and outstanding soldier who has served honorably in uniform and sacrificed more for our country than any of his detractors ever have.”
“I hope the president will once again stand up for his national security adviser and denounce these repugnant attacks, which arise from the same purveyors of hatred and ignorance who precipitated the recent violence in Charlottesville,” McCain said.
McMaster is reportedly at the center of a White House rift with Trump’s top advisor, Steve Bannon. The division has prompted Bannon supporters to criticize and even threaten McMaster on social media and other venues. McMaster refused to comment on the matter during a Sunday media appearance.
Earlier this month, Trump defended McMaster and told the New York Times the two “are working very well together.”
McCain said Trump should issue an “emphatic response” in defense of McMaster.
