Under fire for what critics said was a lack of respect for the late US senator John McCain, President Donald Trump on Monday issued a formal proclamation about the lawmaker’s death and ordered the White House flag back to half-staff.

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on August 24, 2018 shows US Senator John McCain and US President Donald Trump.
One of John McCain’s final wishes, as he struggled against a devastating brain cancer, could not have been more clear: He made it known that he did not want Donald Trump to attend his funeral. US senator John McCain, a celebrated war hero known for reaching across the aisle in an increasingly divided America, died Saturday after losing a battle to brain cancer, his office said. He was 81.
“Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment,” Trump said in a statement.

The proclamation affects the flag atop the White House and all public buildings, as well as military installations and embassies.

Trump said Vice President Mike Pence would speak at a ceremony on Friday at the US Capitol in remembrance of McCain.