White House refuses to condemn staffer involved in Sen. John McCain controversy

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House is refusing to condemn a staffer who said during a closed-door meeting that Arizona Sen. John McCain's opinion "doesn't matter" because "he's dying anyway."

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the aide, Kelly Sadler, still works for the White House. Sanders is refusing to otherwise weigh in on the comments or condemn them.

Sanders tells reporters she's "not going to validate a leak out of an internal staff meeting one way or the other." She did not mention McCain's name.

McCain's wife and daughter Meghan have both condemned the comments.

The White House said Thursday night in a statement: "we respect Senator McCain's service to our nation and he and his family are in our prayers during this difficult time."

Sanders says the White House has respect for all Americans.