Politics - News Analysis

Trump Left George H.W. Bush’s Funeral So Fast That Bush’s Casket Hadn’t Left Cathedral Grounds Yet

Donald Trump and wife Melania Trump quickly left the Washington National Cathedral on Wednesday after the casket carrying the remains of the late President George H.W. Bush was carried up the aisle of the grand church.

The first couple, followed by Vice President Mike Pence, followed the Bush family and the casket up the aisle at the conclusion of Bush’s state funeral.

But then they hurriedly left to return to the White House, getting back there before the hearse carrying Bush’s remains had even left the church grounds.

The pool of reporters traveling with Trump reported the motorcade carrying the first couple left the cathedral at 1:14 p.m.

That was before the casket carrying Bush was placed in the hearse. The Bush family will accompany the elder Bush’s remains back to Joint Base Andrews, where they will return to Houston via the presidential plane.

Trump was reported to back at the White House at 1:25 p.m.

The early exit gave Trump a way to avoid talking to his predecessors and with Hillary Clinton, his 2016 campaign rival who pointedly ignored him as he and the first lady entered the cathedral for the service.

All living presidents were present at Bush’s funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and Bush’s son and former President George W. Bush offered a beautiful eulogy.

There was no mention of Trump at the two and a half hour service, which was filled with praise for George H.W. Bush’s service in the military and to his country as president.

The Trumps paid their respects to Bush on Monday as he lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda until Wednesday morning.

After the funeral in D.C., the 41st president will be taken back to Texas and will rest at the Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M beside his wife, Barbara Bush, and their daughter Robin, who passed away as a toddler from leukemia.

WATCH:

Comments

Comments are currently closed.