President Donald Trump on Monday gave his respects to deceased Senator John McCain “despite our differences on policy and politics,” and signed an order to fly the US flag at half staff.
McCain, who had been a target of Trump’s ire during his final year in the Senate, died Saturday at age 81.
Trump also said he has signed a proclamation to fly the U.S2 flag at half-staff until McCain’s final resting service, which will be held Sunday at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
The White House had garnered criticism for raising its flag Monday morning, even as other US monuments and government sites kept their flags lowered — a long-standing symbol of national respect.
The White House once again lowered its flag on Monday afternoon, shortly before Trump ordered flags across the nation flown at half-staff “as a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding service” for McCain.