Hatch apologizes to McCain for comment on funeral plans

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch is apologizing to Arizona Sen. John McCain for saying it was “ridiculous” to ask President Donald Trump not to attend his funeral.

The Deseret News reports that Hatch said in a statement Tuesday that he sent a written apology to McCain, who is battling brain cancer. Hatch says he shouldn’t have made the comment.

Hatch made the initial remark on Monday when asked by reporters.

McCain’s daughter Meghan McCain criticized it on ABC’s “The View” when she said she wants everyone to “chill out on my dad for a second, especially Orrin Hatch.”

Hatch has become a big supporter of President Trump, who helped Hatch by agreeing to downsize two sprawling Utah national monuments.

Hatch’s spokesman Matt Whitlock didn’t return requests for comment.

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Information from: Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com