US President Orders Flags To Be Lowered In John McCain Tribute Following Criticism

The American flag on the White House is flying at half-mast in tribute to war hero John McCain. (Picture: PA Images)

US President, Donald Trump has announced that flags at the White House - and public buildings across the United States will be lowered once more to half-mast, in honour of US Senator and war hero John McCain, who died on Saturday. 

Mr Trump faced criticism after flags at some federal buildings were fully raised on Monday - far earlier than would normally be expected for somebody of Sen McCain's stature.

Mr Trump released a statement, saying that he respected Sen McCain's service to the US, despite their "differences on policy and politics".

The flags will fly at half-mast until Sen McCain's burial on Sunday.

The statement came two days after Sen McCain died at 81 from brain cancer - and after objections at Mr Trump's silence from politicians and others, including the American Legion, which demanded that he do more to honour the Vietnam War hero and six-term senator.

Mr Trump initially tweeted condolences to Mr McCain's family but made no mention then of the Arizona Republican with whom he feuded for years.

Even as flags remained at half-staff on Monday at the capital, the Washington Memorial and elsewhere, the White House flag was raised. That seemed to be the breaking point for a key Trump constituency, veterans.

In a statement to Mr Trump from Denise Rohan, the organisation's national commander, she said:

"On the behalf of The American Legion's two million wartime veterans, I strongly urge you to make an appropriate presidential proclamation noting Senator McCain's death and legacy of service to our nation, and that our nation's flag be half-staffed through his internment."

By the end of the day, the flags were drawn to half-mast.