White House re-lowers flag for John McCain

Donald Trump has been pushed into an embarrassing reversal following the death of senator John McCain on Saturday.

Most visibly, the US flag at the White House has been returned to half-mast, after it was raised to full-mast early on Monday, just two days after McCain’s death, while flags on several other federal buildings remained at half-mast.

“Traditionally, the death of somebody of McCain’s stature would see flags flying at half-staff until their burial,” the BBC says.

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McCain is due to be buried next weekend following a string of commemorative services this week across the US.

Critics also noted that Trump had failed to issue a statement on the passing of McCain, instead taking to Twitter to offer his condolences to the senator’s family and saying nothing of his military or political service.

Trump repeatedly refused to answer any questions from the press about McCain yesterday, before releasing a four page statement that “dealt mainly in the logistical details he'd approved for the week-long remembrance ceremonies”, CNN says.

“Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country,” Trump said in the statement.

McCain, who was a vocal critic of the Trump administration, reportedly repeated his request that Trump not be invited to his funeral. Barack Obama and George W. Bush are expected to attend.

White House chief of staff John Kelly, Defence Secretary James Mattis and national security adviser John Bolton will represent the administration at McCain’s several funeral services this week, with vice president Mike Pence expected to make remarks at a ceremony celebrating McCain's life in the US Capitol on Friday.