John McCain’s Son Blasts Trump Over Cemetery Ad: ‘Show Respect – And Leave’

The son of the late U.S. Sen. John McCain had pointed words for Donald Trump after the former president cut a campaign ad in Arlington National Cemetery

Trump was criticized after he had himself filmed at the hallowed grounds in an area where filming is prohibited. Two unidentified campaign workers reportedly got into an altercation with a cemetery worker who tried to prevent the filming.

Jim McCain, a Marine, joined Tuesday’s edition of The Lead on CNN, where Jake Tapper asked for his reaction.

“It’s a sacred area,” McCain said. “There’s three generations of McCains that are buried there. It’s a violation because these rules are set in place, the people who are buried there don’t have an opinion. The point of Arlington cemetery is to go and show respect to the men and women who have given their lives to this country. When you make it political, you take away the respect of the people who are there.”

Later in the interview, McCain said Trump should not be “politicizing” his visit to Arlington.

“Go, show respect– I understand that he was invited,” the Marine said, referring to the Gold Star families whom Trump accompanied. “Show respect – and leave. It doesn’t need to be videoed.”

Tapper noted that McCain’s father got in a bit of hot water in 1999 when, as a Republican presidential primary candidate, his campaign released an ad with a brief clip of the late senator at Arlington.

“But after it was pointed out that some people thought that was inappropriate, your dad called it a very bad mistake and apologized for it,” the host said before saying, “I recognize it’s not the exact same thing.” Tapper then asked McCain if an apology from Trump would help.

McCain acknowledged his father’s mistake, but observed that the ad was pulled.

“He understood the solemn, sanctified nature of Arlington National Cemetery,” he stated. “So, if Donald Trump pulled it down and apologized, it would be the right thing to do. But look at his history towards veterans.”

Watch above via CNN.