This story has been updated with new information.
President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said he has ordered flags across the United States be flown at half-staff this week in honor of Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
Graham died over the weekend from a tear in his aorta minutes after calling Trump to talk about the SAVE America Act. Graham also recently returned from a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead,” Trump posted on Truth Social hours after Graham’s death was announced.
On Monday, in accordance with an order issued by President Donald Trump, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the State of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff immediately to honor and remember Senator Lindsey Graham.
“Senator Lindsey Graham served in the U.S. Senate for 23 years and dedicated his career to our country,” Whitmer said. “My condolences are with his family and the people of South Carolina.”
Here’s what to know about how to properly lower flags:
Why are the U.S. flags flying at half-staff?
President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social on July 12 said U.S. flags should fly at half-staff to honor Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died over the weekend.
Who was Lindsey Graham?
Graham, 71, spent more than 30 years in Congress, becoming one of Washington’s most influential Republicans and a key player in the conservative remaking of the federal judiciary and a loyal supporter of Trump.
During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Graham was among Trump’s fiercest critics, but after Trump won the election, Graham steadily moved into the president’s orbit, serving as an emissary to skeptical Republicans, an advocate during impeachment battles and a trusted adviser on matters of foreign affairs and national security.
According to his congressional biography, Graham:
When should U.S. and Michigan flags be flown at half-staff?
Trump posted on Truth Social American flags should be flown at half staff until 6 p.m. July 18.
Where should flags be flown at half-staff?
When the president orders flags to be flown at half-staff, the directive applies to flags flying at half-staff at the White House and all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the federal government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions.
How to correctly fly your flag at half-staff
On days when the flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be raised “briskly” to the top of the pole for an instant and then lowered slowly to the half-staff position, according to the U.S. Flag Code.
Before lowering the flag, it should again be raised to the top before being lowered for the day.
Do flags fly at half-mast or half-staff?
On ships and at naval stations ashore, flags are flown at half-mast.
On shore, flags are flown at half-staff.
Which days are Michigan and U.S. flags lowered?
State officials announce which days to fly Michigan and U.S. flags at half-staff online. You also can sign up for notifications about flag honors.
The flag is always lowered to half-staff on the following days by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer:
When flags are lowered to half staff, Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments, and other organizations are encouraged to display the flag at half staff.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Why are flags at half-staff today in Michigan? What to know
Reporting by Dan Basso and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dan Basso and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
