Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 06:51 pm
Out of respect for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Belgium, President Obama has ordered all United States flags on public buildings and grounds be lowered to half-staff.
The presidential proclamation states:
The American people stand with the people of Brussels. We will do whatever it takes, working with nations and peoples around the world, to bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice, and to go after terrorists who threaten our people.
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As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on March 22, 2016, in Brussels, Belgium, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, March 26, 2016. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
Republicans are trying to make political hay out of President Obama not returning home early from Cuba after the Brussels attacks, but the reality is that Obama is not going to cave to fear. This president is not going to pull a George W. Bush and try to use the events in Belgium for political gain.
Obama is showing the terrorists that we will not be intimidated. While Donald Trump and Ted Cruz try to scare up votes by demanding that the border is closed, President Obama continues to be the steady hand that keeps American safe in contrast to Republicans who are only concerned with manipulating the politics of fear.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
