White House Staffer Mocks John McCain's Cancer At Meeting: ‘He’s Dying Anyway'

This Thursday, President Donald Trump’s Special Assistant, Kelly Sadler, mocked Senator John McCain’s brain cancer diagnosis, saying his votes no longer mattered because he is dying.

One day after McCain, 81, declared he was against Trump’s nominee for CIA director, Gina Haspel, Sadler responded with a vicious remark. “It doesn’t matter, he’s dying anyway,” she reportedly said.

According to The Hill, the controversial official made the insensitive comment during a closed-door meeting at the White House.

Following the scandal, the White House issued a statement obtained by PEOPLE, apologizing for Sadler’s quip. “We respect Senator McCain’s Service to our nation and he and his family are in our prayers during this difficult time,” the statement read.

McCain’s family also clapped back at the Special Assistant, with the Republican’s wife, Cindy McCain, 63, tweeting: “kellysadler45 May I remind you my husband has a family, 7 children and 5 grandchildren.”

His daughter, Meghan McCain, 33. also tweeted a sweet message to her beloved father, even sharing a black and white photo of them together some years ago. “#TBT - I’ve always wanted in on the action.... Love you so much Dad,” she wrote.

As RadarOnline.com readers know, John McCain was diagnosed with brain cancer on July 2017, after doctors found a blood clot in his eye. He has been undergoing treatment ever since, and just this April, was again hospitalized after contracting an intestinal infection.