Trump To Lower Flags For Capital Gazette Victims After All

WASHINGTON, DC — A day after the mayor of Annapolis, Maryland, said President Donald Trump declined his request to have the flags lowered to half-staff in honor of the Capital Gazette mass shooting victims, the commander in chief has seemingly had a change of heart.

Mayor Gavin Buckley, who made the initial 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.

A city of Annapolis spokeswoman confirmed to Patch Tuesday morning that the proclamation had been issued.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee-Sanders called Buckley Tuesday morning to let him know the president issued a proclamation ordering the flags lowered nationwide until sunset Tuesday.

“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.”

Pres Trump to issue proclamation shortly ordering flags to half-staff to honor Capital Gazette staffers killed last week. Annapolis Mayor says his initial request to the WH for flags to be lowered was declined.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) July 3, 2018

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.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan last week ordered the state flags to be lowered to half-staff through sunset Monday in honor of the five slain newspaper employees.

Annapolis residents on the mayor's Facebook page had been urging Buckley or Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to order that American flags also be lowered. But, the U.S. Flag Code doesn't give mayors or governors the authority to do so.

In part the code reads:

"By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving on active duty, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff."

In addition to the Flag Code, Proclamation 3044 Section 5 says, "The heads of the several departments and agencies of the [federal] Government may direct that the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff on buildings, grounds, or naval vessels under their jurisdiction on occasions other than those specified herein which they consider proper, and that suitable military honors be rendered as appropriate."

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.

"The tragedy last Thursday at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland, tears at our hearts, tugs at our compassion and calls forth our fears for the safety of all those on the front lines of truth, accountability and journalistic pursuit," the organization said in a release.

The two organizations are also urging all newsrooms to review and share this tip sheet, which includes best practices for newsroom safety.

See related coverage:

Moment Of Silence Planned For Newspaper Victims, Survivor Stories

Annapolis Shooting: Here Are The 5 Capital Gazette Victims

Woman 'Tormented, Terrorized' By Accused Shooter Ramos Speaks Out

Accused Newspaper Gunman's Rampage Was Almost 8 Years In Making

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