Former Vice President Joe Biden slammed the White House staffer’s disparaging remark about the health of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., The Hill is reporting.
According to The Hill, in a meeting on Thursday, special assistant Kelly Sadler had downplayed the ailing senator’s opposition to the nomination of Gina Haspel as CIA director, saying: "It doesn’t matter, he’s dying anyway."
McCain is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Biden and McCain are close friends.
"People have wondered when decency would hit rock bottom with this administration. It happened yesterday," Biden said. "John McCain is a genuine hero — a man of valor whose sacrifices for his country are immeasurable. As he fights for is life, he deserves better — so much better."
The Hill reported Biden also called the comment the "epitome" of the White House’s "trail of disrespect."
"Our children learn from our example," he said. "The lingering question is whose example will it be. I am certain it will be John’s."
Sadler, who is in charge of surrogate communications, contacted McCain’s daughter Meghan to apologize. Fox News reported on Friday.