"Before I leave, I’d like to see our politics begin to return to the purposes and practices that distinguish our history from the history of other nations. I would like to see us recover our sense that we are more alike than different." — John McCain, in his memoir "The Restless Wave." Read more»

"Today's press conference in Helsinki was one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory. President Trump proved not only unable, but unwilling to stand up to Putin. No prior president has ever abased himself more abjectly before a tyrant." Read more» 1

John McCain on CIA director nomination: "Gina Haspel is a patriot who loves our country and has devoted her professional life to its service and defense. However, her role in overseeing the use of torture by Americans is disturbing. Her refusal to acknowledge torture's immorality is disqualifying." Read more» 1

McCain: "An American president does not lead the Free World by congratulating dictators on winning sham elections. And by doing so with Vladimir Putin, President Trump insulted every Russian citizen who was denied the right to vote in a free and fair election to determine their country's future." Read more» 2

"The latest attacks on the FBI serve no American interests – no party's, no president's, only Putin's. The American people deserve to know all of the facts surrounding Russia's ongoing efforts to subvert our democracy, which is why Mueller's investigation must proceed unimpeded." Read more»

Trump continues his unrelenting attacks on the integrity of American journalists and news outlets. This has provided cover for repressive regimes to follow suit. The phrase "fake news" — granted legitimacy by an American president — is being used by autocrats to silence reporters. Read more»

Responding to Russia's plans to register international media outlets as foreign agents, Sen. McCain reiterated his stance that "RT's propagandists debunk the truth, spread lies, and seek to undermine democratic governments in order to further Vladimir Putin's agenda." Read more»

"There's nothing 'America First' about taking the word of a KGB colonel over that of the American intelligence community. There's no 'principled realism' in cooperating with Russia to prop up the murderous Assad regime," said U.S. Sen. John McCain, reacting to President Trump's statement that he believed the Russian leader was sincere. Read more»

Sen. John McCain: "We have to stop looking at this through the distorted lens of politics and see Russia's attack on our democracy for what it is: just one phase of Vladimir Putin's campaign to weaken the United States, to destabilize Europe, to break the NATO alliance, to undermine confidence in Western values, and to erode any and all resistance to his dark and dangerous view of the world." Read more»

"The government of Montenegro boldly withstood pressure from Vladimir Putin's Russia to reach this historic day. Today's accession ceremony sends a powerful message to Putin that Russia will not determine the fate of the free peoples of the world and that their democratic aspirations will prevail." Read more»

Speaking at a security conference, McCain spoke of alarm about a "turn away from universal values ... hardening resentment toward immigrants, refugees and Muslims ... growing inability, and even unwillingness, to separate truth from lies ... more and more of our fellow citizens seem to be flirting with authoritarianism and romanticizing it as our moral equivalent." Read more» 1

"It is clear from the confusion at our airports across the nation that President Trump's executive order was not properly vetted. ... Ultimately, we fear this executive order will become a self-inflicted wound in the fight against terrorism." Read more»

While some have chosen to mark this anniversary by focusing on the past, I view this day as an opportunity to celebrate not only the end of war in the Pacific, but all of the progress we have achieved since then. Once enemies in war, the United States and Japan are now partners in peace. Read more» 1

"I'm as determined as ever to deserve your trust – and as grateful as ever for the privilege. It is the honor of my life to serve you and our best hopes for our country – and I intend to remain worthy of that honor. No success in my life has ever come without a good fight, and there is so much worth fighting for today. I'm eager to get started and ready for whatever comes." Read more»

I believe the American people have a right – indeed, a responsibility – to know what was done in their name. They must know when the values that define our nation are intentionally disregarded. Those policies stained our national honor, did much harm and little practical good. Read more»