President Trump isn't at Barbara Bush's funeral

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Melania Trump, the Obamas and Clintons sit together at Barbara Bush’s funeral.
USA TODAY

President Trump did not attend former first lady Barbara Bush’s funeral on Saturday in Houston. 

Instead, First Lady Melania Trump was there representing the Trumps, continuing a tradition of first ladies attending the funerals of their predecessors. 

The White House told the BBC Trump wouldn’t attend “to avoid disruptions due to added security, and out of respect for the Bush Family.”

The president said Saturday that he’d watch the service from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

“Heading to the Southern White House to watch the Funeral Service of Barbara Bush. First Lady Melania has arrived in Houston to pay our respects. Will be a beautiful day!,” the president tweeted.

Trump said a remembrance display was set up in front of Bush’s portrait in the White House. “Today, my thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bush family,” Trump tweeted. 

Heading to the Southern White House to watch the Funeral Service of Barbara Bush. First Lady Melania has arrived in Houston to pay our respects. Will be a beautiful day!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2018

Trump’s absence isn’t unusual for a sitting president. The last president to attend a first lady’s funeral was John F. Kennedy, who went to Eleanor Roosevelt’s service in 1962.

Former president Barack Obama did not attend Nancy Reagan’s funeral in 2016 or Betty Ford’s in 2011, and Bill Clinton did not attend the funeral of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Clinton did speak at a graveside service for her at Arlington National Cemetery in 1994. 

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Gregory Korte contributed to this article.

 

 

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