White House re-lowers flag to half staff to honor McCain after backlash

The White House on Monday afternoon re-lowered its flags to half staff after drawing significant backlash for returning them to full staff less than 48 hours after the death of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Multiple reporters noted on social media that the flags were flying at half staff once again as of roughly 3:45 p.m. President Trump issued a proclamation a short time later ordering flags at government buildings remain at half staff to honor McCain.

There’s been a lot of focus on this today, but the White House flag is now at half staff, after being fully raised earlier in the day. pic.twitter.com/MPZvGjnN7T

— Eamon Javers (@EamonJavers) August 27, 2018

White House flag has been re-lowered pic.twitter.com/vdld55iYYq

— Kevin Liptak (@Kevinliptakcnn) August 27, 2018

The @WhiteHouse flags have been lowered to half-staff. https://t.co/zTQGzmLb58

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 27, 2018

Republicans and Democrats condemned the White House on Monday after the flags were raised back to full staff early Monday.

The White House should issue a Presidential Proclamation to lower flags nationally for the next week to honor the life and service of John McCain. An American Hero deserves no less.

— John Faso (@RepJohnFaso) August 27, 2018

Shameful. https://t.co/DRpwwj2fZs

— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) August 27, 2018

Now is a time for the nation to honor the great sacrifices and service of @SenJohnMcCain. This is no way for our commander-in-chief to treat an American Patriot. https://t.co/Ce6DnLQ3FK

— Rep. Tim Walz (@RepTimWalz) August 27, 2018

Sen. #McCain was a war hero & served in Congress. Yet, the President who tells us how to respect the flag is incapable of honoring a dead veteran with a half-staff flag at the @WhiteHouse. If I worked there I’d resign. And @realDonaldTrump, spare us future lectures on the flag.

— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) August 27, 2018

{mosads}The flag outside the U.S. Capitol remained at half staff throughout Monday. Flags typically remain lowered through the burial of a sitting lawmaker or major public figure.

Trump reportedly nixed a drafted statement from the White House calling McCain a “hero” after the senator’s death. The president instead issued a tweet offering his sympathies to McCain’s family.

“My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain,” Trump tweeted Saturday night. “Our hearts and prayers are with you!”

McCain died Saturday at age 81 a little over a year after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Even after his diagnosis, he remained one of Trump’s most outspoken Republican critics.

A family spokesman said Monday that Trump is not expected to attend McCain’s memorial service in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. Former Presidents Obama and George W. Bush are scheduled to deliver eulogies at the event.

–Updated at 4:21 p.m.