President Trump said Tuesday he was only following orders from the Secret Service when he skipped a ceremony honoring soldiers who died in World War I during his visit to France last week.

Trump faced heavy criticism after the White House announced Saturday the president was skipping the ceremony at the Aisne-Marne American cemetery outside of Paris because of logistical and security concerns related to the rain and visibility. Other world leaders attended, and Trump was criticized for ducking out because of the weather, but Trump said it was logistically impossible to attend.

“By the way, when the helicopter couldn’t fly to the first cemetery in France because of almost zero visibility, I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO, too far from airport & big Paris shutdown. Speech next day at American Cemetary in pouring rain! Little reported-Fake News!” Trump tweeted Tuesday.

[Related: Winston Churchill's grandson: Trump 'pathetic,' 'inadequate' for missing WWI ceremony due to weather]



By the way, when the helicopter couldn’t fly to the first cemetery in France because of almost zero visibility, I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO, too far from airport & big Paris shutdown. Speech next day at American Cemetary in pouring rain! Little reported-Fake News! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018



White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement Sunday that driving to the memorial would have taken two and a half hours each way and would have closed substantial portions of Paris roads on short notice.

“President Trump did not want to cause that kind of unexpected disruption to the city and its people,” she said.

On Sunday, Trump stood in the rain without an umbrella to give remarks at a ceremony at Suresnes American Cemetery before heading back to the U.S.