Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold said he was "disgusted" after driving past a government building in Madison, New Jersey, and finding the American flag at full staff despite President Donald Trump's proclamation ordering flags at government buildings to be flown at half-staff to honor Charlie Kirk.
Mangold posted on X on Saturday that he was "disgusted and saddened by my town (Madison) and my state (New Jersey). This is wrong on so many levels … as an American husband and father was assassinated for expressing his right to free speech." He tagged Gov. Phil Murphy and the two leading candidates in New Jersey's upcoming gubernatorial race, Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli.
The proclamation, issued by the White House, called for flags at all government buildings to be lowered until Sunday as a mark of respect for Kirk, a conservative media figure who was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem. Kirk is survived by his wife and two children. Authorities arrested 28‑year‑old Tyler Robinson in connection with the shooting after a manhunt that lasted more than a day.
Officials in Bergen County, which includes Madison, said county policy is to follow the State of New Jersey's daily flag status. In a Facebook post, Bergen County officials said, "Today, we received questions about the lowering of the American flag at County-owned facilities. 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.'"
The decision by some localities in New Jersey and elsewhere to leave flags at full staff drew criticism from public figures and private citizens who viewed the gesture as inconsistent with the presidential directive. Other municipalities complied with the proclamation and lowered flags for the period specified by the White House.
Flag orders from the president traditionally apply to federal buildings and can carry symbolic weight; state and local governments set and follow their own flag policies. Officials and agencies across jurisdictions often consult state guidance, municipal rules or longstanding practice when responding to national proclamations.
The shooting at Utah Valley University prompted a broad law-enforcement response and widespread public reaction. In addition to Mangold's post, figures in sports and conservative circles publicly honored Kirk. A NASCAR driver dedicated a recent race victory to him, and tributes appeared in multiple venues as communities and organizations debated how best to mark the death.
Local officials in New Jersey faced direct inquiries over their flag decisions on social media and via news outlets as the matter drew attention beyond the state. Mangold — who played more than a decade for the Jets — framed his criticism in personal terms, invoking his roles as a husband and father while emphasizing his view that the killing was an attack on free speech.
Law enforcement and university officials have continued to provide updates on the investigation into the shooting. The broader discussion over flag protocol and public commemoration underscores the differing approaches by government entities when responding to national events, and the sometimes swift public scrutiny those choices can provoke.
