President Donald Trump late Monday said he signed a proclamation in honor of Sen. John McCain that will allow the American flag to be flown at half-staff, after the U.S. flag atop the White House flew at full-staff earlier in the day, angering lawmakers and a major veterans’ group.
Flags at the White House were lowered on Saturday night following McCain’s death. Trump initially did not issue a proclamation that would have called for flags remaining at half-staff through the day of interment, which is scheduled for Sunday at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Trump’s statement Monday came after the American Legion, the country’s largest veterans’ organization, called on the president to honor McCain’s heroism.
Trump and McCain, who served Arizona in the Senate, clashed regularly, including over repealing parts of the Affordable Care Act. Trump is not invited to McCain’s funeral.
“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 in a statement.
After McCain’s death, the president reportedly rejected a White House statement praising McCain’s accomplishments and referring to the former prisoner of war as a “hero.”
See: Trump rejected statement praising McCain’s life: report.
In addition to the Capitol, flags at the Washington Monument remained at half-staff on Monday.
Also read: Cindy McCain may be named to fill her husband’s Senate seat.
