​Flags to Half-Staff to Honor Victims of Orlando Terrorist Attack

CONCORD, NH – President Barack Obama has issued a proclamation ordering the lowering of flags on all public buildings and grounds to half-staff immediately and until sunset, Thursday, June 16, in honor of the victims of the terrorist attack in Orlando, according to a press statement from Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-NH. 

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• BREAKING: Orlando Nightclub Shooting Death Toll at 50; Act Of Terror, Officials Say
• Orlando Shooter and Timeline: What We Know So Far

Hassan issued the following stated that she joined all Granite Staters and Americans in mourning the victims of the attack and expressed "profound gratitude" to the first responders who helped prevent further loss of life. 

"This was an act of terror and hate, and we remain united in our resolve to rid the world of terrorism," she stated. "We also must continue fighting for inclusiveness and to ensure that all LGBT Americans can live free from fear with the full dignity, respect and safety that they deserve. Though we cannot ease the pain of their loss, we stand with the families and loved ones of those who were taken from this earth far too soon by this heinous and cowardly attack.”

Other reactions from New Hampshire

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, issued a statement this morning stating: "My heart goes out to the victims of this horrific attack and their families, those who were injured, and the brave first responders who saved lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the Orlando community in the wake of this terrible tragedy."

Andy Martin, a Republican candidate running for the 2nd Congressional District nomination, called for an independing investigation into the attack and criticized Democrats for spinning the attack as a hate crime. 

“Sadly, there are haters in every nation and every culture," he stated. "We know that. But haters do not arm themselves, select a gay club and commit a massacre as a statement of sexuality. The suggestion that Omar Mateen was not linked to terrorism is laughable."

U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, issued a statement at around 7 p.m. on June 12, stating that she was "horrified and heartbroken" by the attack. 

"With 50 Americans dead and more wounded, we as a nation mourn the lives lost as a result of extremism, and a result of terror," she said. "Our nation was built upon the pillars of liberty and equality; this hateful act struck right at the core of the ideals we as Americans hold dear. This act of terror represented an attack not just on those present in the nightclub, but on every American.  In our country, we all should have the right to gather and celebrate without fearing for our lives because of bigotry and radicalism. Congress and leaders across the nation must work together to keep our communities safe from those with evil intent. We will not tolerate these attacks on the American spirit. My heart goes out to the victims and their families, whose unbearable pain is shared by every American, and I thank the courageous first responders and emergency personnel who put themselves in harm’s way to save American lives. We are standing with you.”

U.S. Senate candidate Jim Rubens said his heart went out to those who had lost loved ones and were injured in the hateful terrorist attacks this morning. 

"As Americans, we are unified by love, respect and tolerance for our fellow man regardless of their ethnicity or sexual orientation," Rubens said. "Today’s attack is a horrifying reminder that those who promote radical ideologies of hatred have innocent blood on their hands. While the investigation continues, all signs point to a self-radicalized individual who by multiple accounts expressed allegiance to ISIS and was inspired by its barbaric ideology. The Orlando attack shows that, to keep us safe at home, we must fundamentally alter our morally-blind enabling relationship with Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading promoter of Wahhabi terror ideology.”