President George H.W. Bush wanted his funeral to be an opportunity to heal some of the nation's political divisions, and thought it was important to invite President Donald Trump to his funeral with that in mind, his grandson, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, said Tuesday.
"I think if there is anybody that is supposed to have bipartisanship and rising above politics of today, that would be my grandfather," Bush, the son of 2016 presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, told CNN's "New Day."
"Whether it's him or his staff, they all wanted all current occupants to be part of this process and to take advantage of this time where we can put politics aside and focus on causes greater than ourselves."
The devotion of time Trump and Congress have given to the 41st president's legacy reflects his commitment, said Bush.
"It's important for the country to take this time and reflect on the commonalities that we have rather than the differences," Bush told CNN.
However, he did admit that some of Trump's harsh criticisms against his father, as well as against his grandfather and uncle, former President George W. Bush, did sting.
"But, you know, my grandfather, my uncle and my dad, they taught me you get back up and you fight again," said Bush, "so I'm focused on my job in Texas. I know my dad is enjoying private life."
According to The Washington Post, the Bush family has planned a state funeral that will avoid the kind of criticism that took place during Sen. John McCain's memorial in September.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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