The White House wanted the US Navy to keep a warship named after late senator John McCain "out of sight" ahead of President Donald Trumps visit to Japan, according to media reports.
The Wall Street Journal said a US Indo-Pacific Command official wrote an email to Navy and Air Force officials on 15 May about the president's arrival in Japan over Memorial Day weekend.
It included instructions for the proper landing areas for helicopters and preparations for the USS Wasp, the ship on which the president was to speak.
Trump is a child who will always be deeply threatened by the greatness of my dads incredible life. There is a lot of criticism of how much I speak about my dad, but nine months since he passed, Trump won't let him RIP. So I have to stand up for him.
It makes my grief unbearable. https://t.co/gUbFAla1VE
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) May 30, 2019
The official then issued a third directive: "USS John McCain needs to be out of sight" – according to the email, which was reviewed by the WSJ and whose existence was confirmed to the Associated Press by three sources.
When a Navy commander expressed surprise at the instruction, the US Indo-Pacific Command official answered: "First I heard of it as well," the WSJ reported.
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The official said he would talk to the White House Military Office to get more information about the directive, the newspaper reported.
Later on Wednesday, Mr Trump, who feuded with Mr McCain publicly for years and at one point mocked his military service, tweeted: "I was not informed about anything having to do with the Navy Ship USS John S. McCain during my recent visit to Japan."
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Citing a US official, the WSJ originally reported that acting defence secretary Patrick Shanahan was aware of the concern about the presence of the USS John McCain in Japan and approved measures to ensure "it didnt interfere with the presidents visit".
Mr Shanahan later told reporters he never authorised any action around the movement or activities of the ship.
He also said he would never dishonour the memory of a great American like Mr McCain or disrespect the young men and women crew members of the ship.
I was not informed about anything having to do with the Navy Ship USS John S. McCain during my recent visit to Japan. Nevertheless, @FLOTUS and I loved being with our great Military Men and Women – what a spectacular job they do!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2019
The WSJ said a tarp was hung over the ships name ahead of the presidents trip, according to photos it reviewed, and sailors were directed to remove any coverings from the ship that bore its name.
Navy Commander Clay Doss, spokesman for the US 7th Fleet, said the tarpaulin was on the ship on Friday but was removed by Saturday morning, the day Mr Trump arrived, adding: "All ships remained in normal configuration during the president's visit."
Two US officials told the AP all the ships in the harbour were lined up for Mr Trump's visit, and they were visible from the USS Wasp. The officials said most of the names probably could not be seen since they were side by side but the name of the USS John S McCain could be seen from the pier.
Asked if the tarpaulin was meant to block Mr Trump's view of the ship, the officials said it had been placed on the ship for maintenance and removed for the visit.
Citing people familiar with the matter, the WSJ reported sailors on the ship, who typically wear caps bearing its name, were given the day off during Mr Trumps visit.
The ship was originally named after Senator McCain's admiral father "Jack" and grandfather "Slew," but shortly before his death in 2018, John McCain was also added as a namesake.
Rear Admiral Charlie Brown, US Navy's Chief of Information, tweeted in the wake of the scandal: "The name of USS John S McCain was not obscured during the POTUS visit to Yokosuka on Memorial Day. The Navy is proud of that ship, its crew, its namesake and its heritage."
The name of USS John S. McCain was not obscured during the POTUS visit to Yokosuka on Memorial Day. The Navy is proud of that ship, its crew, its namesake and its heritage.
— Navy Chief of Information (@chinfo) May 30, 2019
Mr McCain was often the target of the president's ire and the two had a tumultuous relationship that continued, on Mr Trump's part, even after Mr McCain died of brain cancer in August 2018.
Mr Trump said in March:
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