Senator John McCain Has Died at 81

Senator John McCain has died at age 81 after a battle with a brain tumor. The former presidential hopeful was diagnosed in July 2017 and died Saturday, surrounded by family. Only yesterday the senator's family had announced that he'd decided to stop treatment.

In a memoir published earlier this year, McCain -- a former prisoner of war who survived two plane crashes -- seemed at peace with his diagnosis. "It's been quite a ride. I've known great passions, seen amazing wonders, fought in a war, and helped make peace. I've lived very well and I've been deprived of all comforts. I've been as lonely as a person can be and I've enjoyed the company of heroes. I've suffered the deepest despair and experienced the highest exultation...I made a small place for myself in the story of America and the history of my times."

While McCain has not always been a LGBTQ ally -- when "don't ask, don't tell" was repealed he called it a "sad day" -- his position became more liberal in recent years. In 2017 he was vocal in his opposition of Donal Trump's transgender military ban. "Any member of the military who meets the medical and readiness standards should be allowed to serve -- including those who are transgender," McCain said, going on to sign a bipartisan bill to stop the ban.

In recent years, McCain had been a vocal opponent of Trump, and his family made it clear this spring that the president would not be welcome at McCain's funeral, while Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush have been asked to give eulogies.