Flags at White House back at full staff after short tribute to McCain

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(WJBK) - Flags at the White House were back at full-staff Monday, even as Senate leaders of both parties formally requested American flags at government buildings stay at half-staff to honor Sen. John McCain.

The flags at the White House had been lowered a day earlier.

Aides to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic Leader Charles Schumer requested that the Department of Defense keep flags at government buildings lowered until the sunset after McCain is buried in Annapolis, Maryland, next Sunday. That's standard procedure when a member of the Senate passes away. McCain served in the chamber for six terms, most recently as chairman of the Armed Services Committee.

McCain was a frequent critic of President Donald Trump on everything from his leadership style to his Russia policy. Trump questioned the decorated Navy pilot's Vietnam heroism and chafed at McCain's vote to kill the president's "Obamacare" repeal.

McCain died on Saturday at 81 after a 13-month struggle with brain cancer. Trump tweeted condolences to McCain's family but made no reference to the Arizona senator.

U.S. Flag Code states that flags be lowered "on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress."

After Democratic Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts died in 2009, President Barack Obama ordered flags at the White House flown at half-staff for five days.

The White House didn't immediately respond to questions Monday.

A national memorial service is set for McCain on Saturday, September 1 at Washington National Cathedral. Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama are expected to speak at the service. Beforehand, he will lie in state at the United States Capitol and the Arizona State Capitol.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report