After President Trump declined to issue a formal statement over the weekend after McCain's death, President Trump today did issue a statement on Monday and ordered the flag to fly once again at half-staff (the flag had been flying again at full staff this morning after being lowered over the weekend):
Statement from the President
Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain's service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment.
I have asked Vice President Mike Pence to offer an address at the ceremony honoring Senator McCain at the United States Capitol this Friday.
At the request of the McCain family, I have also authorized military transportation of Senator McCain's remains from Arizona to Washington, D.C., military pallbearers and band support, and a horse and caisson transport during the service at the United States Naval Academy.
Finally, I have asked General John Kelly, Secretary James Mattis, and Ambassador John Bolton to represent my Administration at his services.
(CBS) -- The American flag flying above the White House was at full staff early Monday morning even as the nation continued honoring the life and legacy of Sen. John McCain. The Arizona Republican, whose relationship with President Trump has long been fraught, died on Saturday at the age of 81 after battling brain cancer.
Flag back at full staff atop WH. Pres Trump did not issue proclamation on the death of @SenJohnMcCain, which usually calls for flags to remain at half-staff through the day of interment, which is Sunday at the @NavalAcademy. pic.twitter.com/NGasNPT0VB
While the White House originally lowered the flag late Saturday evening, White House reporters, including CBS News' Mark Knoller, noticed that the flag was back at full staff Monday morning.
The American flag at the White House flies at full staff August 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), a decorated American war hero and U.S. senator, died August 25, 2018. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)A flag above the White House flies at half staff in honor of the late US Senator John McCain, August 26, 2018 in Washington, DC. - McCain died on Saturday, Augusat 25, 2018, four days shy of his 82nd birthday, following a yearlong battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
Knoller notes that Mr. Trump did not issue a formal proclamation on McCain's death. Typical practice is for flags to remain at half-staff through the day of interment. McCain's final resting service will take place Sunday at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
In honor of John McCain, one of our nation's finest public servants — I direct New York State's flags be flown at half staff. A small gesture for one of America's giants. Godspeed, Senator McCain. pic.twitter.com/FThP1KQEc5
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 26, 2018
Meanwhile, governors from Ohio's John Kasich to New York's Andrew Cuomo ordered that public flags in their respective states remain at half-staff to honor McCain. The senator will lie in state at the Arizona state capitol on Wednesday with his first memorial service taking place in Phoenix on Thursday. Vice President Joe Biden is currently slated to speak.
