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Trump finally lowers flags to half-mast in McCain's honor after hours of pressure from veterans, members of Congress https://ift.tt/2Lvh4tF Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
The White House on Monday afternoon lowered the flag to half-mast after facing mounting criticism from veterans groups and members of Congress over the decision to raise it earlier in the day so soon after Sen. John McCain's death. When a member of Congress dies, US Flag code calls for the flag to be flown at half-mast on the day of death and the following day. The Trump administration honored this precedent over the weekend after McCain's death. But it's also been custom for presidents to sign a proclamation calling for the flag to remain at half-mast until the day of interment for prominent officials and figures. McCain died from brain cancer on Saturday in his home state of Arizona and is set to be interred at the US Naval Academy on Sunday. Reporters discovered early on Monday that flag had been returned to full-mast at the White House, Pentagon and other government buildings, marking a departure from tradition. Veterans groups promptly slammed Trump for this decision. Veterans groups ripped into Trump for raising the flag on MondayThe American Legion wrote a letter to Trump on Monday, stating, "I strongly urge you to make an appropriate presidential proclamation noting Senator McCain's death and legacy of service to our nation, and that our nation’s flag be half-staffed through his interment." American Veterans (AMVETS) was more direct in its statement toward Trump, accusing him of disrespecting all veterans by flying the flag at full-mast. "It’s outrageous that the White House would mark American hero John McCain’s death with a two-sentence tweet, making no mention of his heroic and inspiring life," Joe Chenelly, AMVETS national executive director, said. "By lowering flags for not one second more than the bare minimum required by law, despite a long-standing tradition of lowering flags until the funeral, the White House is openly showcasing its blatant disrespect for Senator McCain’s many decades of service and sacrifice to our country as well as the service of all his fellow veterans," Chenelly added. Veterans of Foreign Wars also called for the White House to extend the "honor" of flying the flag at half-mast for McCain. Meanwhile, there were bipartisan calls from Congress for the flag to be lowered, including from Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Mitch McConnell. 'Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service'Trump ultimately buckled under the pressure and on Monday afternoon released a statement announcing a presidential proclamation to lower the flag. "Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment," Trump said. Trump and McCain never got alongMcCain is well-known for his military record and was a decorated Vietnam War veteran. The Arizona senator famously spent over five years as a POW in the Hanoi Hilton in Vietnam, where he was tortured and held in solitary confinement for roughly two years. McCain refused an opportunity for early release during that period over loyalty to his fellow American prisoners, and many regard him as a hero for this defiant act. But Trump once questioned whether McCain was a hero during the 2016 presidential election, controversially stating he didn't believe soldiers who get "captured" can be heroes. Despite being members of the same party, the two continued to butt heads until the day McCain died. NOW WATCH: INSIDE WEST POINT: What it’s really like for new Army cadets on their first day See Also:
Business via Business Insider https://ift.tt/1IpULic August 27, 2018 at 03:39PM
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