President Trump will not attend former First Lady Barbara Bush’s funeral on Saturday, the White House announced.
“To avoid disruptions due to added security, and out of respect for the Bush Family and friends attending the service, President Trump will not attend,” the White House said in a statement.
First Lady Melania Trump will attend the funeral.
{mosads}It is not uncommon for presidents to miss the funeral of a former first lady.
The last time a sitting president attended a former first lady’s funeral was in 1962, when then-President John F. Kennedy attended services for Eleanor Roosevelt, according to NBC News.
Barbara Bush died Tuesday night at age 92. She had been hospitalized multiple times throughout the past year, and recently decided against seeking additional medical treatment.
Trump issued a statement after her death was announced praising her devotion to her country and family. He also spoke about her legacy during a joint press conference on Wednesday with Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe.