FILE: In U-turn, Trump lowers WHouse flag for McCain Under fire for what critics said was a lack of respect for the late US senator John McCain, President Donald Trump issues a formal proclamation about the lawmaker's death and orders the White House flag back to half-staff. The flag was back at full staff Monday morning -- in contrast to the US Capitol -- after being lowered over the weekend to mark McCain's death Saturday of brain cancer at age 81. FILE IMAGES of the White House flag at half mast over the weekend following Senator McCain's death, before the flag was raised once again on Monday, August 27