Coronavirus: Trump agrees to fly flags at half-mast after Democrat request to honour victims
Americans are set to mourn almost 100,000 Covid-19 dead on Memorial Day weekend
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump has pledged to lower American flags across the nation in tribute to those who have lost their lives amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The US president’s announcement on Thursday night that the Star-Spangled Banner would be hung at half-mast at government buildings and monuments.
It comes as Congressional Democrats called on Mr Trump to mark the 100,000th American Covid-19 death, which is expected in the next week, with the tribute.
“I will be lowering the flags on all Federal Buildings and National Monuments to half-staff over the next three days in memory of the Americans we have lost to the Coronavirus,” said the president on Twitter.
With US flags now being lowered from federal government buildings, Mr Trump added that the tribute would commence with the annual honouring of American military personnel who have died in service, on Memorial Day.
Read more
“On Monday, the flags will be at half-staff in honor of the men and women in our Military who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice for our Nation,” added Mr Trump.
Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer wrote to the president on Thursday asking him to honour America’s Covid-19 dead at the 100,000 milestone.
The two Democrats argued that as Americans paid respects to military men and women on Monday, the nation should also mourn the loss of all it’s Covid-19 dead.
“As we pay our respects to them, sadly, our country mourns the deaths of nearly 100,000 Americans from COVID-19,” wrote Ms Pelosi and Mr Schumer. “Our hearts are broken over this great loss and our prayers are with their families”.
“We are writing to request that you order flags to be flown at half staff on all public buildings on the sad day of reckoning when we reach 100,000 deaths,” the letter continued.
“It would serve as a national expression of grief so needed by everyone in our country.”
Mr Trump has continued to describe health care workers as “warriors” who are on par with military personnel, whilst calling himself a “wartime president” as the nation manages the Covid-19 pandemic.
The US will now mourn all those who have died during it’s outbreak over the next three days - more than any other nation worldwide.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments