Kotek supports symbolism of lowering US flag for Charlie Kirk

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Following the assassination of right-wing podcaster and activist Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump ordered all flags lowered to half-staff at all public buildings and grounds.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, who said her protocol is to follow presidential declarations, soon followed for Oregon and called Kirk’s killing “inexcusable.”

However some area officials questioned whether Kirk’s accomplishments warranted the honor of flags being lowered to half-staff.

Democratic State Rep. Travis Nelson, the only openly LGBTQ person of color in the legislature, disagreed with lowering the flag for Kirk, and said it had nothing to do with his being conservative.

“That honor is reserved for presidents, national heroes and dignitaries,” Nelson said. “If Dick Cheney died tomorrow, I’d be OK with flags being lowered.”

Labor activist and former Portland City Council candidate Jonathan Tasini called the governor’s decision “astonishing,” adding, “What the actual hell?”

For Kotek, whose politics could not be more opposite than the politics of Charlie Kirk, the issue is bigger.

“I also think that it’s very important at this time of divisiveness in our country that we focus on what happened , which is political violence. No one should lose their life based on their point of view, and I think it’s important to send a message that we are one country, we are one state. We have to come together,” Kotek said. “And if it’s symbolic as lowering the flag saying we should all think about what’s going on, then I can support that.”

For the record, the President of the United States has complete discretion over when flags are lowered nationally.