the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, in the wake of the tragic death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a national debate has unfolded, with a local dimension playing out right here in Bergen County. The decision by county officials not to lower flags to half-staff, despite a presidential proclamation, has ignited a firestorm of criticism and brought the rules of flag etiquette into the spotlight.
The County’s Stance
On Friday, the White House issued a directive ordering flags on federal buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of Charlie Kirk. Across the nation, states had to decide whether to follow suit.
Bergen County officials chose not to, citing a long-standing policy to follow the New Jersey state flag status, which remained at “full staff” throughout the day. The official response from the county’s social media accounts stated: “Bergen County’s policy is to follow the State of New Jersey’s daily flag status.”
This explanation, however, did little to quell the outrage from some residents who saw the move as a deliberate political statement. Commentators on social media were quick to label the action as “partisan” and a clear refusal to honor a presidential order.
Navigating the Nuance of Flag Protocol
The controversy highlights a common misunderstanding about flag protocol. While a presidential proclamation is a powerful gesture, a vexillologist—or flag expert—points out that its authority is limited.
Michael Green, an expert in the field, clarified that a presidential order to lower the flag only applies to federal buildings. States, counties, and even private citizens are not legally bound to comply. This is why some states, like Pennsylvania and Delaware, did lower their flags, while New Jersey and New York did not—each state makes its own decision. The case of Whitney Houston’s passing, where the flag was lowered in New Jersey but not necessarily nationwide, serves as a prior example of this state-level discretion. So selective enforcement brings us right back to partisan decision making.
Ultimately, whether you see Bergen County’s decision as an act of political defiance or a simple adherence to established policy, one thing is clear: flags are powerful symbols. They can spark deep emotions and, as in this case, become the center of a charged political debate, reminding us that even a simple piece of fabric can represent much more than it appears.
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New Jersey turning into California
AS PROMISED.
You got what you voted for.
Why do they even have the USA flag… they hate America
loser democrats ruined nj
Nope, the loser voters who wanted this and got what they wanted.
Up yours murphy!
What would we expect from the party that fights for the non-deportation of gangsters?
“Bergen County’s policy is to follow the State of New Jersey’s daily flag status.”
I.e. standard procedure.
They used to lower the flag for statesmen and dignitaries now they lower it when the janitor at the DMV’s goldfish dies.
Screw you Democrats! What had happened to moral consciousness? Democrats!
Rest in Peace, Charlie Kirk, your movement will grow stronger!
If they didn’t order flags at half staff after every school shooting, why order it now? Its not a Dem or Rep issue; lowering the flag is serious business and has to be weighed.
expect more from mikie sherrill
…expect even more hatred from MS
Disgraceful. Vote for Jack to save NJ!
Since a transgender terror cell killed Charlie, I think the lgbtq rainbow flag should not fly on public buildings anymore in ridgewood in the state and anywhere in the country. We should be able to vote for it at least. This is rediculous.
Was trying to tell y’all for the past couple years that the flag has to go. There have been several transgender mass shootings in the last few years or so and this is the 3rd assasinaton attempt against republicans in the last 14 months.
The democrats, mainstream media, and woke corporations must be held accountable for creating this problem. This transgender movement is demonic. I think a lot of them are aligned with antifa and blm, but they have their own community.
This group involved has been using the app discord to chat and it’s crazy how what these people were saying. They basically incriminated themselves and the shooter. Plus the guy that cheered and looked by at the roof as soon as Charlie was shot spoke on social media trying to explain his reaction and it was beyond bizarre.
We’re gonna see what happens but this doesn’t look good for the democrat party. All there preaching about inclusion and diversity and this is what we get radical transgender terrorism
That’s the new label. This is the biggest threat. These people are the white supremists not us common folk.