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According to theU.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, “the flag is to be flown at half-staff … on the day and day after the death of a United States senator, representative,” or other leaders. However, in order to keep the White House flags at half-staff in honor of Sen. McCain longer, Trump would need to issue a proclamation, which he has not done. (The White House did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.)
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Trump’s lack of action breaks with precedent. When Sen.Ted Kennedydied in 2009 and Sen. Daniel Inouyedied in 2012, former PresidentBarack Obamaasked in both cases that flags remain at half-staff “until sunset on the day of his interment,” which has not yet arrived for Sen. McCain, NBC News noted.
RELATED VIDEO: Senator John McCain Dies at Age 81
Some federal buildings in Washington kept their flags at half-staff on Monday morning, while others — including flags at the Washington Monument, which stands behind the White House — were raised,The Washington Postreported.
During a press event in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump ignored direct questions pertaining to McCain’s passing and legacy. Instead, he folded his arms in silence.
ABC News’ Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl, who was at the press event, said in a tweet that Trump heard his question about McCain but “did not answer.”
Trump and Sen. McCain had a widely documented rocky history. In 2015, Trump criticized Sen. McCain’s military service. “He’s not a war hero,” Trump said, referring to thefive and a half years Sen. McCain spent fighting for his life as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. “He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
Last year, Sen. McCainvoted noon Republicans’ efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and this year, Trump seemed toavoid talk of Sen. McCain’s terminal health.
McCain’s funeral plansreportedly call forObama and former PresidentGeorge W. Bush, both former political competitors of Sen. McCain, to deliver eulogies, and for Vice PresidentMike Penceto attend instead of Trump,The New York Timesreported.
source: people.com
