John McCain Death: Donald Trump Orders Flag To Fly Half-Staff To Honor US Senator

U.S. President Donald Trump came under pressure on Monday as he signed an order to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff to honor the late Sen. John McCain. As per the orders, the U.S. flag will continue to fly at half-staff until McCain’s final resting service, which will be held at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on Sunday.

McCain, 81, who had been a target of Trump’s ire during his final year in the Senate, died last week on Saturday after a year-long battle with brain cancer. The man was widely seen as an American hero and a political icon.

While the whole country came forward to pay tribute to McCain, Trump found himself mired in controversy as he remained near-silent since McCain’s death. His reluctance to participate in the national remembrance was quite awkward.

While the White House flag was lowered after McCain’s death on Saturday, it was once again at the top of the flagpole on Monday morning. The act garnered strong criticism from Republicans and veterans’ groups as well as Democrats as other U.S. monuments and government sites kept their flags lowered as a symbol of national respect. Finally, in the afternoon, the flag was lowered at the orders of the President.

“Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honour, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment,” Trump said in a statement as he ordered the flag atop the White House to fly at half-staff until McCain’s burial on Sunday.

Later, at an evening dinner honoring evangelical leaders, he said “our hearts and prayers” are going to the family “and we very much appreciate everything that Senator McCain has done for our country.”

An official statement from the White House has confirmed that Trump will not attend McCain’s funeral next weekend. His chief of staff and secretary of defense will attend the funeral.