BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump on Saturday mourned the passing of former President George H.W. Bush, remembering him as a man of “sound judgment, common sense and unflappable leadership.”
In a statement issued hours after Bush’s death on Friday night, the Trumps said that Bush had “inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service.”
Bush, who served as president from 1989 to 1993, was 94.
The White House announced Saturday morning that the Trumps would attend a state funeral for the former president at Washington’s National Cathedral.
“President Bush guided our nation and the world to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War,” the Trumps wrote. “As President, he set the stage for the decades of prosperity that have followed.”
“And through all that he accomplished, he remained humble, following the quiet call to service that gave him a clear sense of direction.”
The Trumps were informed of Bush’s death late Friday while in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the Group of 20 summit of rich and developing nations.
Trump, who upended the GOP establishment with his insurgent presidential campaign, has had a fractious relationship with the Bush family over the years. He ran against one of Bush’s sons, Jeb Bush, in the GOP presidential primaries in 2016, and he was sharply critical of the presidency of another son, George W. Bush.
Trump was set to speak by phone Saturday with George W. Bush, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said, to “offer his condolences on behalf of himself, the first lady, and the entire country.” He will also designate Wednesday as a national day of mourning.
As part of the national day of morning, Mesa Verde National Park’s administrative offices will close, but the park entrance fee will be waived. The Visitor and Resource Center, Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, and Mesa Top driving loop will be open, weather depending. Spruce Tree Terrace café will be open 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The San Juan National Forest also announced that its office and all Ranger District offices will close Wednesday out of respect. Normal business hours will resume Thursday.
