OPINION:
I read with interest “Trump pays tribute to McCain, orders flags back to half-staff after complaints” (Web, Aug. 27). While the organizations mentioned in your article recognized that the president was following the law ordering U.S. flags to remain at half-mast for two days, they insisted Sen. John McCain deserved an extended period of recognition. Their opinion has prevailed and President Trump has re-lowered the flag until the time of Mr. McCain’s burial.
To be clear, the United States Code, Title 4, Section 1, Subsection 7 reads: “The flag shall be flown at half-staff … the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress.” Like it or not, Mr. Trump was following the law.
Now, one can argue that exceptions can be made, and quite often they are. Mr. McCain may indeed be worthy of greater recognition than others, but where do we draw the line? What if Mr. Trump extended such an honor to someone less famous, but important to him? There would be hell to pay.
I’m sure there are some Americans out there who wouldn’t grant Mr. McCain one second of recognition. He had many detractors, political and otherwise. On the other hand, many Americans held him in very high regard, if not for his political career, then certainly for his service to our country during his naval career.
Whether Mr. Trump has done the right thing now or was correct in following the law in the first place is irrelevant. It seems everything our president does is scrutinized to the nth degree. Now, can we get back to how often he golfs?
RANDALL W. STEPHENS
Falls Church
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