Sununu Calls Decision Not To Lower Flags For Officers 'Shocking'

CONCORD, NH — Flags will be lowered to half-staff in New Hampshire to honor fallen law enforcement officers despite a reversal by the Biden Administration.

On May 7, a proclamation was issued by the White House to lower flags to half-staff around the nation to honor Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week 2021. The flags were to be lowered Saturday, as they have been for many years. However, the Biden Administration reversed the decision and made a change to the proclamation — eliminating the flags being lowered.

"I call upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities," the changed proclamation read. "I further encourage all Americans to display the flag from their homes and businesses on that day."

It was a strange decision for the Biden Administration which has expanded half-staff directions for shooting incidents like the one in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 20, the victims of the attack at the capitol building on April 2, and shootings in Boulder, Colorado, and Atlanta, Georgia, on March 22, and March 18. Normally, flags are lowered to honor the deaths of heads of state, such as when former Vice President Walter Mondale died last month, and other remembrances.

U.S. Code states the flag should be lowered on Memorial Day and by order of the president "upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory." The flag can also be lowered if other officials or foreign dignitaries die, too, as well as Supreme Court justices as well as other officials.

One might consider tragic shootings to be a good reason to lower flags and have the nation reflect. Tragedy is what it is no matter who dies. But not to honor police officers?

Gov. Chris Sununu, who issued a statement on Friday, followed up with a second statement condemning the change by the administration. He said the state would "continue to honor the men and women who have died or been injured in the line of duty by flying flags at half-staff" as the state has always done.

"The Biden Administration's reversal of their earlier proclamation in the eleventh hour is shocking, and our men in women in blue, along with their families, are owed an explanation for this sudden reversal," Sununu said. "I call on New Hampshire's congressional delegation to join with me in rejecting this disrespectful decision."

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), in a tweet on Friday, said the Senate unanimously approved a resolution to honor officers for 2021 on Thursday night.

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