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Former New York Jets Center Nick Mangold put a New Jersey city on an explosion over the weekend after the city’s officials did not observe President Donald Trump’s proclamation, which ordered US flags on government buildings being flown to half staff in honor of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
But while Madison, home to the former NFL star, exposed to the state, other nearby cities decided to pay tribute to Kirk, who was murdered in Utah while talking at a campus event.
Florham Park and East Hannover, both in Morris County, and Summit in Union County observed the presidential proclamation that called for the US flag to flown to half staff from Wednesday 10 September to 14 September.
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Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk arrives to speak before Republican presidential nominated former President Donald Trump during a campaign management in Thomas & Mack Center, October 24, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Alex Brandon/The Associated Press)
In a statement to Pakinomist Digital, Florham called Park Mayor Mark Taylor Kirk a “big patriot” and said that flags in the district remained on half staff from Tuesday.
“Yes, Florham Park has listened to the president’s order, and we are still flying on the flags to half staff in honor of the great patriot, Charlie Kirk.”
East Hanover confirmed that Township also acted “in accordance with the proclamation.” The city of Summit told Pakinomist Digital that the flag was flown to half staff at the town hall, the library and the community center through Sunday.
Trump’s proclamation came after Kirk, 31, was murdered Wednesday during a campus event at Utah Valley University. The married father of two was hit by a single ball and later pronounced death. Tyler Robinson, A 22-year-old resident Utah was arrested as a suspect in the killing.
State and local officials in New Jersey were criticized when Mangold ran by a government building in Madison over the weekend and noticed that the city did not observe the presidential procedure.
“I’m disgusted and saddened by my city (Madison) and my State (New Jersey),” he wrote at X. “This is wrong on so many levels … as an American man and father were murdered to express his right to free expression.”
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Mangold labeled New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and the two Gubernatorial candidates who are struggling to follow Murphy, rep. Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli.
New York Jets Center Nick Mangold leaves the field after the game against Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated Jets 28-3 in Glendale, Arizona, on October 17, 2016. (Mark J. Revilas/USA Today Sports)
Madison officials released a statement that responded to the criticism, noting that the district simply followed the state’s daily flag status.
“Over the weekend, we received questions about lowering the US flag in the district. Madison’s policy is to follow the state of New Jersey’s daily flag status, which can be found here,” the statement reads. “Over the weekend, the status was ‘full staff’. Borough of Madison condemns all forms of political violence and rejects hatred in any form.
State and local authorities are not legally bound to comply with the president’s proclamations. Pakinomist Digital has reached Murphy’s office for comment. Morris Plains Mayor Jason Karr told Pakinomist Digital that flags were not lowered to half staff in his district because he was not aware of the president’s proclamation.
He noted that while the flag was lowered to September 11th Thursday, it was raised to full staff the following day and through the weekend.
“Given the nature of the recent events, the Morris Plains did not receive the usual notification regarding the directive of lowering the American flag. In no time there was any intention of respecting the president of the United States or the Kirk family,” Karr said in a statement. “The tragic circumstances clearly justified the reduction of the flags and the district would have taken immediate action that had been received or forwarded to any district.
“I do not support or condolate the actions taken against Charlie Kirk and offer my sincere condolences to Erika, his children and his whole family in this difficult time. This unfortunate supervision should not be politicized. At moments it may be important for us to rise above the division. Both the left and the right must stand together under American Eagle so our nation can continue to be unity.”
Charlie Kirk, who founded the Turning Point US speaking under a turning point in the US -believing summit conference on July 26, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Meanwhile in Texas, Prime Minister Greg Abbott ordered all state government buildings to comply with the proclamation.
“Cecilia and I are the heart bridge of the murder and departure from Charlie Kirk,” Abbott said. “Charlie’s voice was a lighthouse for millions of young Americans sought for truth, courage and conviction. This senseless act of violence has no place in America. Our prayers are with Charlie’s family and his loved ones, especially the two young children he leaves behind. Texas stands with them in grief and in honor of Charlie’s final legacy.”
