Why Flags Are Half-Staff Across Rhode Island July 3, 2018

Flags across Rhode Island are at half-staff Tuesday in honor of the Capital Gazette shooting victims. The decision came as a result of an apparent change of heart from President Trump, who apparently initially declined the Annapolis mayor's request to have the flags lowered.

Mayor Gavin Buckley, who made the request over the weekend, posted on Facebook overnight that White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders called him from the White House saying they were still considering lowering flags. On Tuesday morning, CBS News reported that Trump will issue proclamation "shortly" ordering flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the five victims slain last week.

"It's a horrible situation, but I think it's the least respect we could give the journalists," Buckley told the Capital. "It's a little bit of comfort."

Trump has previously ordered flags to be lowered honor victims in mass shootings in the past, including at schools in Texas and Florida.

Buckley told The Baltimore Sun on Monday "this was an attack on the press."

"It was an attack on freedom of speech. It's just as important as any other tragedy," he said.

The U.S. Flag Code doesn't give mayors or governors the authority to do so.

The American Society of News Editors and the Associated Press Media Editors are asking newsrooms worldwide to participate in a moment of silence for "contemplation, prayer, reflection or meditation" at 2:33 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday.

Image via shutterstock

Dan Hampton, Patch staff, contributed to this report