Flags on federal buildings and national monuments to be lowered to half-staff as Trump announces three days of mourning for the victims of coronavirus
President Trump has ordered for American flags on all federal buildings to be lowered to half-staff over the next three days to honor those who have passed away from coronavirus.
Trump tweeted on Thursday evening: '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.'
While daily death tolls are no longer on a steady incline, the losses are still mounting, with the total count in the US above 94,500 -- by far the nation with the most deaths. More than 1.5million Americans having been infected.
Flags on federal buildings and national monuments are to be lowered to half-staff as Trump announces three days of mourning for the victims of coronavirus
The president made the announcement over Twitter on Thursday evening
The president also announced for flags to fly at half-staff on federal buildings and national monuments to commemorate military personnel who have died.
'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.'
Some people responded with cynicism on Twitter to the president's announcement.
'Every year for Memorial day weekend the flags lowered to half-staff in honor of all those who have died in honor of this country,' wrote one user.
U.S. President Donald Trump holds a protective face mask with a presidential seal on it that he said he had been wearing earlier in his tour of Ford Motor Company in Michigan on Thursday
A number of Twitter users responded with cynicism to Trump's decision to lower the flags with one person noting that the flags are lowered every Memorial Day weekend anyway
'Lower the flags for more than just 3 days. Lower them for the duration of this pandemic. The way that Trump is wording this tweet feels like the coronavirus pandemic is already over and he is mourning our losses. But the majority of our losses are still ahead. It comes in waves,' added another.
On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) called on the president to lower flags on the day the U.S. reaches 100,000 deaths.
In a letter sent to the president, the pair wrote that the tribute would serve as a 'national expression of grief so needed by everyone.'
In an open letter, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer called on the president to lower flags on the day the U.S. reaches 100,000 deaths
'Our hearts are broken over this great loss and our prayers are with their families,' Pelosi and Schumer wrote.
'Respectful of them and the loss to our country, we are writing to request that you order flags to be flown at half staff on all public buildings in our country on the sad day of reckoning when we reach 100,000 deaths.'
Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, made the same suggestion several weeks ago.
The president has the right to order that flags be flown at half-staff for tragic events and the deaths of notable officials.
The United States has averaged nearly 1,300 coronavirus deaths per day this week.
The Charging Bull Statue sits in front of the American flag at half-mast in the Financial District during the coronavirus pandemic on May 15 2020 in New York City
Flags on federal buildings and national monuments to be lowered to half-staff as Trump announces three days of mourning for the victims of coronavirus
![Flags on federal buildings and national monuments to be lowered to half-staff as Trump announces three days of mourning for the victims of coronavirus]()
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May 22, 2020
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