John McCain, President Trump Clash Over Yemen Raid

President Trump and Sen. John McCain continue to clash over the fate of an American military operation in Yemen that led to the death of a Navy SEAL and dozens of civilians.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has repeatedly called the raid a "success" and said that anyone who disagrees dishonors Chief Ryan Owen, who died in the attack. McCain, a veteran and former prisoner of war, argued that the mission was not a success and that calling it a failure does nothing to question the value or service of the men and women who participated.

Thursday morning, Trump lashed out at McCain on Twitter:

In response to these tweets, McCain's office issued the following statement Thursday: "Senator McCain will continue to execute his oversight duties as Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and support brave men and women serving our nation in uniform."

“It's absolutely a success, and I think anyone who would suggest it's not a success does disservice to the life of Chief Ryan Owens,” Spicer said on Wednesday. “He fought knowing what was at stake in that mission. And anybody who would suggest otherwise doesn't fully appreciate how successful that mission was.”

He continued: "I think anybody who undermines the success of that raid owes an apology and a disservice to the life of Chief Owens."

"When you lose a $75 million airplane, and more importantly, an American life is lost and wounded, I don't believe that you can call it a 'success,'" McCain said.

"Many years ago, when I was in prison in North Vietnam, there was an attempt to rescue the POWs," he added. "Unfortunately, the prison had been evacuated. But the brave men on that mission and risked their lives in an effort to rescue us prisoners of war were genuine American heroes. Because the mission failed did not in any way diminish their bravery and courage and willingness to sacrifice for their fellow Americans who were being held captive. Mr. Spicer should know that story."

Spicer was less willing to call the raid a success on Feb. 1, when he said, "With respect to Yemen, I think it's hard to ever say something was successful when you lose a life."

Watch clip of the dueling claims:

Though the senator endorsed the president during the campaign, the pair are frequently at odds. Early in the presidential race, Trump dismissed McCain's criticism, and said of the veteran, "He's a war hero because he got captured. I like people who weren't captured, OK?" McCain has criticized Trump for his statements regarding Russia and President Vladimir Putin.

"Trump has never served. My father can't bend one of his knees or lift one of his arms above his head," said Megan McCain, the senator's daughter, on Twitter, referring to her father's wartime injuries. "I am done with this today. DONE."

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore