Sen. John McCain Calls Australian Ambassador

Turnbull denounces the press, saying reports are misleading

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), is trailed by reporters while walking to the Senate Chamber for a vote on Capitol Hill, in Washington on Jan. 31, 2017. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Longtime Republican Senator John McCain appears to be taking his stance against President Donald Trump another step further, calling the Australian ambassador to express support for the two countries’ relationship after transcripts of a phone call with President Trump and Australia’s prime minister leaked to the press.

“I called Australia’s Ambassador to the United States this morning to express my unwavering support for the U.S.-Australia alliance,” McCain said in a statement.

McCain said he asked Joe Hockey, the Australian ambassador to the United States, “to convey to the people of Australia that their American brothers and sisters value our historic alliance, honor the sacrifice of the Australians who have served and are serving by our side, and remain committed to the safer, freer, and better world .”

President Donald Trump speaks on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on, Jan. 28, 2017. Also pictured, from left, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Vice President Mike Pence, and White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon. Drew Angerer/Getty Images