President Donald Trump ordered the flag to be flew half-staffed after the fatal shooting of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk at the Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on September 10th.
Trump ordered national flags to continue flying at half price until September 14th, according to a White House declaration provided to USA Today.
Kirk, 31, was filmed during a question-and-answer session with students. Trump confirmed Kirk’s death in a post about a true society that calls his right-wing character and close allies “great and even legendary.”
Police arrested the two as a result of the shooting, but neither of them have been released and are not considered shooters, authorities said.
“He fought for freedom, democracy, justice and the Americans,” Trump said in a pre-recorded message from an oval office posted on social social late September 10th.
Here’s what you need to know about why the US flag is flying in half staff:
What do you say about the flag code?
According to the US General Services Agency, flags are flew semi-staffed when a country or a particular state is in mourning after a national tragedy or due to the immediate death of a government or military personnel.
According to the Flag Act, the flag should fly at half price for 30 days after the death of the current or former president, for 10 days for the death of the vice president, the Supreme Court justice or retired U.S. Chief Justice, or the Speaker of the House.
Other officials, such as the Supreme Court’s associate judge, Cabinet Secretary, and former Vice President, can fly the flag with semi-staff from the day of their death to intervention. Members of the Congress lowered the flag the day they died and the day after.
The code also allows the President to issue instructions for flying the flag at half price for the “death of another official, former official, or foreign official.”
The governor and the mayor of the District of Columbia may also order a flag flying with half staff in the jursb if a member of the military or “first responder” or district from that state dies in duties.
Can the President lower the flag of civilians?
The US flag code does not mention lowering the flags of non-government officials.
The flag code states that the president can change or change “rules or conventions regarding the display of flags” by declaration.
Flag Code is listed in US code, but according to Congress’ website, it is considered a guideline and does not include enforcement mechanisms.
When did the flag fly with semi-staff before?
The flag was ordered at half price, following major tragedy, including the September 11 attack and the 2012 Newtown School shooting. Trump ordered the flag to be lowered following the August Announcement Church shooting.
The flag was lowered for prominent deaths, including Pope Francis’ death in April, former President Jimmy Carter’s death in December, and Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022.
Contribution: Amanda Lee Myers – USA TODAY
