A Rare Occasion At The White House Is Truly A Sorrowful One For Our President

Sometimes we get so caught up in politics we forget that these are real people with real feelings and when they lose someone they love it hurts.

On Friday, Donald Trump and his family mourned the loss of the president’s younger brother, Robert, who died last week at the age of 71.

The president said Robert was “not just my brother. He was my best friend.”

Robert, I Love You. Rest In Peace!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 21, 2020

The president and first lady followed the casket to a waiting hearse as bagpipes played late that afternoon. The couple stood at attention and held each other’s hands while the casket was placed into the vehicle. Family members who were present stood nearby on the White House steps. As the hearse drove away, the president and first lady joined the group at the residence and embraced each other.

Abraham Lincoln mourned the loss of his son Willie during his presidency in 1862. And in 1924 Calvin Coolidge Jr. passed away during his father’s presidency. Memorial services for both children were held in the White House.

However, Robert Trump did not reside at the White House but it is completely within the president’s ability to pay respects to his brother with a service there.

The president explained why he chose to have his brother’s service at the White House, “I think he’d be greatly honored. He loves our country. He loved our country so much. He was proud of what we were doing and what we are doing for our country. So I think it would be appropriate.”

Anita McBride, who has served in three separate presidential administrations, as well as first lady Laura Bush’s chief of staff said, “The White House is a very complex place. It’s an office, it’s a museum and it’s a home. We loan it to the president for the time he or she is living there. Coming from that perspective, we need to be understanding of some decisions that they make in a case like this.”

Robert Trump, who took blood thinners and experienced brain bleeds, recently had a sharp decline in his health. President Trump went to see his brother in the hospital the night before his death.

Before departing the White House to visit him President Trump said, “I have a wonderful brother. We’ve had a great relationship for a long time, from day one.”