President Donald J. Trump ordered that all U.S. flags across the country be flown at half-staff through Sunday to mark the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kirk was shot on Sept. 10 while speaking at an event on the outdoor courtyard of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The event was part of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” organized by Turning Point USA, an organization he co-founded.

The practice of lowering the American flag to half-staff to commemorate significant deaths was standardized by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. Eisenhower’s proclamation established formal federal guidelines for recognizing the deaths of national officials and other individuals deemed worthy of this honor, ensuring a consistent symbolic gesture observed across government buildings nationwide.

In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered flags to be lowered across the nation following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. This order was notable as it recognized King’s dual role as a Baptist minister and a civil rights activist. By recognizing his position as a religious leader and social campaigner, this order expanded the tradition beyond focusing solely on elected officials to include figures whose impact is cultural and societal.

Presidential orders to lower the flag have also extended to individuals notable in other fields. For instance, in 2016, President Barack Obama ordered flags at half-staff to honor John Glenn, a former U.S. senator and astronaut, acknowledging his contributions in both public service and space exploration.

There are exceptions to the political norm, including religious figures, such as when President George W. Bush ordered flags lowered for the passing of Pope John Paul II in 2005, and in 2018, President Trump issued a similar order for Reverend Billy Graham. These instances are relatively rare and highlight the discretion presidents exercise in these decisions.

The tradition of flying flags at half-staff is most frequently applied to public officials and politicians, especially those who die in office or have a significant national profile. Ultimately, the discretion of the sitting president determines who receives this recognition.

This discretion has led to inconsistencies. For example, President Trump did not order flags lowered following the assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, several months prior. This omission has sparked discussion regarding the selectivity of how the honor is applied in contemporary practice.

Since Eisenhower’s proclamation in 1954, the gesture of lowering flags to half-staff has primarily served as a federal mark of respect for political figures and high-ranking officials. Although the symbol of respect has occasionally been extended to astronauts, scientists and religious leaders, it is most frequently reserved for those involved in government or politics. The criteria and duration of flag-lowering observances continue to be determined by the administration in office.