South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Hillicon Valley: FBI, DHS warn that foreign hackers will likely spread disinformation around election results | Social media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day | Trump to meet with Republican state officials on tech liability shield MORE (D) slammed a reported Trump administration request for military officials to hide the USS John S. McCain during the president's visit to Japan.

Buttigieg, who served in the Navy, said Thursday that the military isn't a "prop" to be "toyed with for the benefit of a fragile president's ego."

This is not a show. Our military is not a prop. Ships and sailors are not to be toyed with for the benefit of a fragile president’s ego. https://t.co/plI68Yplp5 — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) May 30, 2019

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that White House officials requested the ship — which was originally named after McCain's grandfather and father, with the senator joining the namesakes in 2018 — be "out of sight" during President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE's Memorial Day visit.

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Trump told reporters on Thursday that he didn't know about the decision, but said that whoever made the order was "well meaning" given his past feuds with the late GOP Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainThe Memo: Trump's strengths complicate election picture Mark Kelly: Arizona Senate race winner should be sworn in 'promptly' Cindy McCain: Trump allegedly calling war dead 'losers' was 'pretty much' last straw before Biden endorsement MORE. Trump has continued to attack McCain nearly a year after the senator's death and said Thursday that he "was not a big fan of John McCain in any way, shape or form."

The Washington Post and New York Times both confirmed the Wall Street Journal's report, which said that military officials approved measures so the ship would be hidden during Trump's state visit.

Buttigieg has in the past come to McCain's defense after a Trump attack, pointing to accusations that Trump faked a bone spurs diagnoses to avoid serving in the Vietnam War.

"When a president (who faked a disability in order to avoid serving) attacks a departed war hero, it’s for attention," Buttigieg tweeted in March. "We should honor the late Senator McCain, and also follow his example by focusing not on the behavior of the president but on the future of our country."