White House wobbles on US flag after McCain’s death
US President orders lowering of national flag in respect of late senator John McCain after widespread criticism
WASHINGTON The White House lowered its US flag to half-staff, raised it back up and on Monday lowered it again after the death of Senator John McCain, in an unusual and confusing break with protocol on the passing of a national leader.
Mr McCain, a prisoner of war in Vietnam, long-time senator from Arizona and 2008 Republican presidential nominee, died of brain cancer on Saturday at age 81.
That prompted many Americans to lower flags to half-staff, a traditional gesture of honour.
But US President Donald Trump, who had clashed with fellow Republican McCain over various issues and said during his campaign that the senator was "not a war hero", wavered in his approach to what presidents normally treat as a gesture of courtesy and respect.
Mr Trump's White House lowered its flag on Saturday, then raised it back following the minimum period under the law.
He also delayed issuing the customary proclamation for flags to remain at half-staff for longer than the two-day minimum.
Finally, under pressure from veterans and members of Congress, Mr Trump said in a statement later on Monday that he respected Mr McCain's service to the nation and had ordered flags to half-staff.
In a letter to Mr Trump on its Facebook page, the American Legion veterans group had urged the White House "to follow long-established protocol following the death of prominent government officials".
The Legion described Mr McCain as a "cherished member."
BROKE SILENCE
After a day of ignoring shouted questions about Mr McCain, Mr Trump broke his silence during a gathering of evangelical leaders at the White House on Monday evening.
"Our hearts and prayers are going to the family of Senator John McCain ... and we very much appreciate everything Senator McCain has done for our country," he told the religious leaders.
Through most of Monday, confusion reigned across the federal government, with flags flying at half-staff over the US Capitol and at hundreds of national par, but at full-staff over the Pentagon and the US Supreme Court.
The US Department of Homeland Security had issued a government-wide notification after Mr McCain's death to lower flags at US facilities but rescinded it on Monday, leaving the decision to staff at individual sites, according to an official.
Presidents normally follow Congress' lead on the death of a prominent lawmaker and order flags lowered until sunset on the day of burial.
Critics of Mr Trump saw his reticence as a final slight against Mr McCain.
"I doubt you could find a comparable situation where the president doesn't order the flag flown at half-mast until the funeral," said history professor John Lawrence at the University of California's Washington Centre.
"The disparity between the Congress and White House policy is obviously noticeable and somewhat shocking."- REUTERS
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