Trump orders flags to fly at half-staff after Lewis’s death

President Trump on Saturday ordered flags to fly at half-staff following the death of civil rights icon and longtime congressman Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga).

Trump issued a proclamation which stated that the act was “a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding public service” of Lewis, who died on Friday at the age of 80.

The flags will fly at half-staff for the remainder of the day all across the world, including at the White House, all public buildings, military posts and stations, U.S. embassies and consular offices abroad, as well as naval vessels.

Flag lowered at the White House on Saturday to honor Rep. John Lewis. pic.twitter.com/iRoUQkK053

— The Hill (@thehill) July 18, 2020

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) earlier Saturday had ordered flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff, according to her deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill.

Speaker Pelosi has ordered the flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff due to the passing of Congressman John Lewis.

— Drew Hammill (@Drew_Hammill) July 18, 2020

Trump has not yet commented publicly on the death of Lewis, with whom he had a contentious relationship throughout his presidency.

Shortly after the president arrived at his private golf course in Sterling, Va., on Saturday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany issued a statement praising Lewis’s legacy.

“Rep. John Lewis was an icon of the civil rights movement, and he leaves an enduring legacy that will never be forgotten. We hold his family in our prayers, as we remember Rep. John Lewis’ incredible contributions to our country,” McEnany tweeted. 

Rep. John Lewis was an icon of the civil rights movement, and he leaves an enduring legacy that will never be forgotten. We hold his family in our prayers, as we remember Rep. John Lewis’ incredible contributions to our country.

— Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) July 18, 2020

Lewis, who died Friday night, carved his place in history with a lengthy career advocating for civil rights, from being beaten on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., on “Bloody Sunday” to serving 17 terms representing an Atlanta-area district in Congress. 

He often clashed with Trump, dating back to the president’s 2016 campaign. After Trump was elected, Lewis refused to attend the inauguration and influenced more than 60 Democrats to do the same. 

In 2017, Lewis accused Trump of not being a “legitimate president,” leading Trump to fire back that the Democrat should worry about his own “horrible” district instead.

“Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk – no action or results. Sad!” Trump wrote in a series of tweets.

U.S. politicians from both parties, as well as international leaders, paid homage to Lewis.

Former President Obama said he “stood on the shoulders” of Lewis, and credited the activist’s sacrifices for helping him become a U.S. senator and the nation’s first African American president.

Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said the lifelong activist was “truly a one-of-a-kind, a moral compass who always knew where to point us and which direction to march.”

“We are made in the image of God, and then there is John Lewis,” the former vice president wrote in a statement. “How could someone in flesh and blood be so courageous, so full of hope and love in the face of so much hate, violence, and vengeance?”

Updated at 11:45 a.m.