(NEXSTAR) — President Donald Trump has directed that U.S. flags be lowered following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of his most prominent political allies.
Graham, 71, died Saturday night, his office said in a statement. Early findings from the medical examiner’s office indicate the senator died after suffering a ruptured aorta.
Trump, who spoke with Graham often, described him as “like a member of the family,” adding, “It’s very tough.” During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Trump said Graham had called him Saturday night after returning from Ukraine and “sounded a little bit tired, but perfect.”
Citing “the remarkable life and achievements” of Graham, Trump said Sunday that he had ordered “all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast.” According to Trump, the flags will remain lowered until 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 18.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says lowering flags to half-staff is a gesture used “when the whole nation is in mourning.”
How long flags remain at half-staff generally depends on the seniority of the official being honored. The longest period, 30 days, is reserved for the death of a current or former president — most recently observed after the death of President Jimmy Carter in 2024.
When a sitting vice president, a current or retired chief justice of the Supreme Court, or a sitting speaker of the House dies, flags are typically lowered for 10 days beginning on the day of death. For other officials — including associate Supreme Court justices, Cabinet members, former vice presidents, the Senate president pro tempore, and the majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate — flags are flown at half-staff from the day of death until interment.
In April 2025, flags were also lowered to half-staff for several days after the death of Pope Francis.
Per U.S. Code, when U.S. flags are to fly at half-staff, you should first hoist it “to the peak for an instant and then [lower it] to the half-staff position.” Before it is lowered for the day, it “should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
