Flags flew at full staff across Bergen County, New Jersey, last week, sparking a heated national debate over protocol, politics, and the power of presidential proclamations. The controversy unfolded after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. Kirk’s killing, which authorities say was carried out by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson—now facing multiple charges including aggravated murder—sent shockwaves through political circles and communities nationwide.
In the immediate aftermath, President Donald Trump issued a directive ordering U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff at all federal buildings, military posts, and embassies through sunset on September 14, calling Kirk “a truly Great American Patriot.” The White House promptly lowered its flags that afternoon, and the president’s order was followed in states like Pennsylvania and Delaware. Yet in New Jersey and New York, no such statewide directive came down. Bergen County, home to more than 950,000 residents, kept its flags at full staff—citing adherence to the state’s official daily flag status.
“Bergen County’s policy is to follow the State of New Jersey’s daily flag status, which can be found here. Today’s status was ‘full staff,’” read a Facebook post from the county on September 12. The post further asserted, “The County of Bergen condemns all forms of political violence and rejects hate in every form. Our County remains committed to bringing people together around our shared values and ideals.”
The response was swift and polarized. Residents flooded the county’s Facebook post—nearly 4,000 comments and around 500 shares—expressing a mix of outrage, disappointment, and, in some cases, support. Some commenters pointed out that Bergen County had previously lowered flags for New Jersey native Whitney Houston in 2012, after then-Governor Chris Christie issued the order for the singer’s funeral. “Ashamed to live in Bergen County, and NJ after this. President ordered flags at half staff. You should follow,” wrote one. Others saw the issue differently: “Thank you for following the law; all forms of political violence are abhorrent and have no place in a civil society.”
The political ramifications were immediate. Republican commissioner candidate Jay Costa took to Instagram and other social platforms, blasting Bergen County’s Democratic leadership for “ignoring federal orders” and promising that voters would hold them accountable in November. “The Bergen County Democrats refuse to lower the flags to half-staff for the assassination of Charlie Kirk and have ignored federal orders to do so! Truly despicable! They deserve to lose in November,” Costa declared. He later added, “We believe lowering the flag would be a needed gesture of peace and tolerance to our community. The flag at half-staff will give people a moment to reflect on how we interact with those we disagree with politically and socially.”
But was Bergen County truly defying the president? Experts say the answer is more nuanced. According to vexillologist Michael Green, “States, businesses, and private individuals have the choice to follow the federal government or not.” As Green explained to NJ Advance Media, the president’s authority to order flags lowered applies only to federal buildings. State and local governments aren’t required to comply, though they often do so out of respect. “Anything flag related is completely unenforceable. It is a guideline, not a rule,” Green said. He added that flags often serve as symbols for deeper political or cultural sentiments, noting, “They are always a diving board into something else. In and of themselves they’re just pieces of fabric, but people use them to display what they want to.”
The American Legion’s U.S. Flag Code, which lays out flag etiquette, is advisory and not legally binding. Bergen County’s approach—following the state’s daily guidance—was mirrored by several other counties and municipalities in New Jersey, while Passaic and Ocean counties chose to lower their flags at half-staff. The divergence wasn’t just a matter of red versus blue: Illinois, for example, ordered flags at half-staff from September 12 to 14 to honor “victims of political violence,” without naming Kirk specifically. Meanwhile, both New Jersey and New York had lowered their flags on September 11 for the anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks, and for other occasions such as Corrections Officers Day and Remembrance Day, but not for Kirk.
Officials in the office of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy did not immediately respond to requests for comment on why no statewide order was issued for Kirk. The lack of a directive led to speculation and criticism, particularly from conservative commentators and political hopefuls, who accused Democratic leaders of politicizing a moment of national mourning. Some residents, however, argued that the county was simply upholding the law and respecting the boundaries of executive authority.
On social media, the debate became a microcosm of broader national tensions. “It is amazing how people get bent out of shape about a flag. Really? Get a life,” one commenter wrote. Another countered, “Still would have been a nice unifying gesture.” The issue even reached back into recent history, with some noting that flags were lowered in New Jersey for Whitney Houston, while others pointed to the beauty of a system in which states have their own authority: “A state can lower a flag and another state wouldn’t. But that is the beauty of the system—states have their own authority to do what they do with their flags.”
Meanwhile, the investigation into Kirk’s assassination continued to unfold. Police say Tyler Robinson fired a single shot from a rooftop on the Utah Valley University campus, striking Kirk in the neck. Robinson was arrested late on September 11 after allegedly confessing to a family member and now faces charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice, according to court records obtained by USA TODAY. Federal agents raided Robinson’s Utah apartment and childhood home as part of the ongoing investigation.
By September 13, Kirk’s widow had been joined by mourners across the country, even as the flag debate raged on. The story of Bergen County’s decision—and the larger questions it raises about authority, symbolism, and political division—shows no sign of fading from the public consciousness. For some, the flag remains a powerful emblem of unity or protest; for others, it’s just fabric atop a pole. But in moments of tragedy, how we choose to honor the fallen can reveal as much about our society as the policies themselves.
As the sun set on September 14, flags at federal buildings returned to full staff. But the conversation about what those flags mean—and who gets to decide—continues to ripple far beyond Bergen County’s borders.
