John McCain funeral: Sen. Jeff Flake tweets 'Decency Wins' in apparent Trump dig

After attending the Washington memorial service for the late U.S. Sen. John McCain on Saturday, his fellow senator from Arizona sent out a tweet with a not-so-subtle message.

“Decency Wins,” Flake tweeted, along with a broadcast image showing the past three U.S. presidents and two of their wives.

Flake’s barb was aimed at current President Donald Trump, a longtime critic of McCain, who was one of the few of the nation’s political elite who had not been invited to the memorial service at Washington National Cathedral.

Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush eulogized McCain, and former President Bill Clinton also attended the service.

MORE: McCain updates: Obama, Bush laud former presidential rival

Many of the speakers praised McCain’s civility and bipartisanship, along with his sacrifice and service to the country.

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President Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani, center, talks with Ukrainian boxing champ Wladimir Klitschko, left, as they arrive to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APPresident Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani, second from right, talks with Ukrainian boxing champ Wladimir Klitschko, second from left, as they arrive to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APFrom left, former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne and former Vice President Al Gore participate in a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington Nationals Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APVisitors crowd the Vietnam Veterans Memorial after Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., placed a wreath, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik, APVisitors crowd the Vietnam Veterans Memorial after Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., placed a wreath, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik, APEliana Duy, 8, of Fla., poses for a photo at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial after Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., placed a wreath, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain arrives at a memorial service for her husband, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. Watching in the front row from left are President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APCindy McCain greets, from left, former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former vice president Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington Nationals Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFront from left, former Defense Secretary William Cohen, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Vice President Joe Biden listen during a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. Back row, second from right is former Texas Senator Phil Gramm and third from left is former Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFrom left, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former vice president Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne and former vice president Al Gore attend at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington Nationals Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFormer President Barack Obama, center, and former first lady Michelle Obama, right, arrive with other dignitaries and invited guests to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. On the far left is former Vice President Al Gore. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFormer President Bill Clinton, right, greets former Vice President Al Gore, left, as they arrive with other dignitaries and invited guests to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFrom l-r., Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and his wife Cheryl Flake, arrive with other dignitaries and invited guests to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APSen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and his wife Marcelle, greet former Sen. Bob Dole, center, as they arrive for a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFormer Vice President Joe Biden, second from right, and actor Warren Beatty, right, wait to escort the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, for a memorial service. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APThe family of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., from left, Doug McCain, Andrew McCain (partially hidden), Sidney McCain, Ben Domenech and his wife Meghan McCain, Cindy McCain, Jimmy McCain and his wife Holly and Jack McCain and his wife Renee Swift watch as the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, for a memorial service. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Manuel Balce Ceneta, APThe family of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., including from left, Andrew McCain, Doug McCain, second from left, Meghan McCain, from front row left, Bridget McCain, Cindy McCain, Jimmy McCain and Jack McCain, watch as the casket is carried down the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, for a departure to the Washington National Cathedral for a memorial service. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via AP, Pool) Marvin Joseph, APFrom left, Meghan McCain, Cindy McCain, Jimmy McCain and his wife Holly pause as they watch the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrive at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, for a memorial service. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APRhonda Zuck, left, and her husband, Tim Zuck, center, who both served in the U.S. Army, drove from Racine, Wis., for the wreath laying ceremony for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (Ray Whitehouse/Pool photo via AP) Ray Whitehouse, APHolly Knowlton, left, and her husband retired Gen. David Petraeus, right, arrive to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APA crowd gathers before Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives to lay a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a memorial service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APA crowd gathers before Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives to lay a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a memorial service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accompanied by President Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly, left, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from left, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APThe family of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., front row from left, Meghan McCain, Bridget McCain and Cindy McCain, watches as his casket is carried to a hearse from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, for a departure to the Washington National Cathedral for a memorial service. (Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool Photo via AP) Jim Lo Scalzo, APNavy Lt. Jack McCain, the son of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is reflected in the wall of the Vietnam Memorial as Jack’s mother, Cindy McCain, accompanied by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, right, and President Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly, left, departs after laying a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., center, accompanied by President Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly, right, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from left, and family members, arrives at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accompanied by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, left, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from left, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APBridget McCain and Meghan McCain, daughters of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., watch as Cindy McCain, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., holds a tissue as she arrives to lay a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APFamily members of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., watch as his wife, Cindy McCain, right, accompanied by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, third from right, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from right, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, AP

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Meghan McCain said from the lectern at the Saturday service, carried live on national news and broadcast networks.

She took a handful of jabs at Trump and his campaign motto, all without mentioning him by name.

CLOSE

Meghan McCain shows her father’s spirit in beautiful, poignant and scathing tribute to him, at times displaying the defiance that came to define him.
USA TODAY

During his presidential campaign, Trump said McCain was “not a war hero” even though he had spent more than five years as a POW in Vietnam. “I like people that weren’t captured,” Trump said.

RELATED: Analysis: McCain sends final rebuke to Trump

In defiance of Trump, McCain had cast a deciding vote last year against a final effort for a “skinny repeal” of the nation’s Affordable Care Act.

Trump also was slow to issue a statement after McCain’s death.

RELATED: Sen. Jeff Flake: I am grateful for John McCain

Flake also has exchanged insults with Trump frequently, on the Senate floor and in other public forums.

Flake’s overarching theme has been that Trump’s behavior cannot be normalized. 

“We must turn away from this brand of poisonous politics, the kind of poison that has the president slinging insults like a bad comic at a cheap roast,” Flake said in a speech in New Hampshire in March. “Yes, the pendulum swings, thank goodness, and the people themselves will show us the way out of here. If this sounds like a call to new politics, it is. But it is just as much a call to the old politics, the best traditions of America, of true leadership and vision, of Lincoln’s malice toward none and charity for all.

“… Let’s take the high ground again.”

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Sen. Jeff Flake delivered the benediction at a ceremony for Sen. John McCain at the Arizona state Capitol on Aug. 29, 2018.
Associated Press, Arizona Republic

Flake also has emphasized the ideal of country over political party.

RELATED: Where’s Trump? At golf club during service

In October, Flake abandoned his 2018 re-election campaign after concluding he was so out of step with the pro-Trump voters who dominate Arizona’s Republican primary that winning renomination for the Senate would be difficult if not impossible.

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