McCain: I Called Australian Ambassador To Express ‘Unwavering Support’

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. makes a statement about the U.S. relationship with Russia as he leads the confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary-designate James Mattis, Thursday... Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. makes a statement about the U.S. relationship with Russia as he leads the confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary-designate James Mattis, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) MORE LESS
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Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said in a statement released Thursday that he called Australia’s ambassador to express his “unwavering support” for the country’s alliance with the United States, after a report came out Wednesday that President Donald Trump berated the Australian prime minister during a phone call the same day.

“Australia is one of America’s oldest friends and staunchest allies,” the statement reads. “In that spirit, I called Australia’s Ambassador to the United States this morning to express my unwavering support for the U.S.-Australia alliance.”

McCain wrote in the statement that the United States remains “committed to the safer, freer, and better world that Australia does far more than its fair share to protect and promote.”

During a phone call on Wednesday with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Trump railed against a deal for the United States to accept more than 1,000 refugees from Australia, according to a Washington Post report.

Senior U.S. officials told the Washington Post that Trump called it the “worst deal ever” and accused Australia of trying to send the “next Boston bombers” to the United States.

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