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| John McCain death: Trump lowers White House flag after criticism | John McCain death: Trump lowers White House flag after criticism |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| US President Donald Trump has announced that the White House flag will be returned to half-staff, after critics attacked his response to the death of Republican senator John McCain. | US President Donald Trump has announced that the White House flag will be returned to half-staff, after critics attacked his response to the death of Republican senator John McCain. |
| Flags at some federal buildings were fully raised on Monday, far earlier than would normally be expected after such an event. | Flags at some federal buildings were fully raised on Monday, far earlier than would normally be expected after such an event. |
| Mr Trump tweeted his condolences to the McCain family, but has not offered a tribute to the veteran's life. | Mr Trump tweeted his condolences to the McCain family, but has not offered a tribute to the veteran's life. |
| The pair had a fractious relationship. | The pair had a fractious relationship. |
| Mr Trump appeared to repeatedly ignore media questions about the flag before announcing that it would be lowered again. | Mr Trump appeared to repeatedly ignore media questions about the flag before announcing that it would be lowered again. |
| He said in a statement: "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." | He said in a statement: "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." |
| He also confirmed reports he will not attend McCain's funeral next weekend. | He also confirmed reports he will not attend McCain's funeral next weekend. |
| The statement said other members of the Trump administration, including his chief of staff and secretary of defence, will attend instead. | The statement said other members of the Trump administration, including his chief of staff and secretary of defence, will attend instead. |
| Former Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama will pay tribute to McCain during his funeral ceremony on Saturday at the National Cathedral. | Former Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama will pay tribute to McCain during his funeral ceremony on Saturday at the National Cathedral. |
| Vice-President Mike Pence will also address a service in McCain's honour at the capitol on Friday. | Vice-President Mike Pence will also address a service in McCain's honour at the capitol on Friday. |
| Earlier on Monday, before the flag U-turn, McCain family friend Rick Davis read out a posthumous message prepared by the senator before his death from brain cancer on Saturday. | Earlier on Monday, before the flag U-turn, McCain family friend Rick Davis read out a posthumous message prepared by the senator before his death from brain cancer on Saturday. |
| What did McCain's posthumous speech say? | |
| Parts of the speech could be interpreted as taking aim at President Trump's policies. | |
| It urged the nation not to "hide behind walls" and said the American people are "a nation of ideals, not blood and soil". | It urged the nation not to "hide behind walls" and said the American people are "a nation of ideals, not blood and soil". |
| "We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe," McCain had said. | "We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe," McCain had said. |
| "We weaken it when we hide behind walls rather than tear them down." | "We weaken it when we hide behind walls rather than tear them down." |
| McCain also told his country folk: "Do not despair of our present difficulties, but believe always in the promise and greatness of America". | McCain also told his country folk: "Do not despair of our present difficulties, but believe always in the promise and greatness of America". |
| Who complained about the White House flag? | Who complained about the White House flag? |
| Traditionally, the death of somebody of McCain's stature would see flags flying at half-staff until their burial. | Traditionally, the death of somebody of McCain's stature would see flags flying at half-staff until their burial. |
| The White House was urged by senators of both parties to honour that protocol, and critics asked why a proclamation had not been issued as it was after the deaths of other political figures, such as former First Lady Barbara Bush. | The White House was urged by senators of both parties to honour that protocol, and critics asked why a proclamation had not been issued as it was after the deaths of other political figures, such as former First Lady Barbara Bush. |
| Senior Democrat Chuck Schumer and top Republican Mitch McConnell said the flags on all government buildings should be at half-staff for the late senator until his burial next Sunday. | Senior Democrat Chuck Schumer and top Republican Mitch McConnell said the flags on all government buildings should be at half-staff for the late senator until his burial next Sunday. |
| Flags at the US Capitol and other Washington landmarks remained at half-staff earlier on Monday, but the White House had returned to its usual levels. | Flags at the US Capitol and other Washington landmarks remained at half-staff earlier on Monday, but the White House had returned to its usual levels. |
| Some said the White House was simply following proper procedure, however, because US Flag Code states that flags be lowered "on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress". | Some said the White House was simply following proper procedure, however, because US Flag Code states that flags be lowered "on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress". |
| Why was there no Trump statement? | Why was there no Trump statement? |
| The rather sparing statement on Monday was the first from the White House to reference McCain's death. | The rather sparing statement on Monday was the first from the White House to reference McCain's death. |
| None was issued over the weekend, though one was drafted, according to US media. | None was issued over the weekend, though one was drafted, according to US media. |
| Instead, both the president and vice-president offered their condolences to the senator's family via Twitter. | Instead, both the president and vice-president offered their condolences to the senator's family via Twitter. |
| The antipathy between the president and McCain has been well documented since Mr Trump took office. | The antipathy between the president and McCain has been well documented since Mr Trump took office. |
| Earlier this month, when he signed a multi-billion dollar defence bill named after McCain, the president did not say his name. | Earlier this month, when he signed a multi-billion dollar defence bill named after McCain, the president did not say his name. |
| Mr McCain's body will lie in state in the Arizona State Capitol on Wednesday and at the US Capitol Rotunda on Friday, giving his colleagues and the public a chance to pay their respects. | Mr McCain's body will lie in state in the Arizona State Capitol on Wednesday and at the US Capitol Rotunda on Friday, giving his colleagues and the public a chance to pay their respects. |
| He will then be laid to rest on Sunday in a private ceremony at the US Naval Academy chapel. | He will then be laid to rest on Sunday in a private ceremony at the US Naval Academy chapel. |