US President Donald Trump has announced that the White House flag will be returned to half-staff, after critics attacked his response to the death of Republican senator John McCain.
Flags at some federal buildings were fully raised on Monday, far earlier than would normally be expected after such an event.
Mr. Trump tweeted his condolences to the McCain family, but has not offered a tribute to the veteran’s life.
The pair had a fractious relationship.
Mr. Trump appeared to repeatedly ignore media questions about the flag before announcing that it would be lowered again.
He said in a statement: “Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honour, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment.”
He also confirmed reports he will not attend McCain’s funeral next weekend.
The statement said other members of the Trump administration, including his chief of staff and secretary of defence, will attend instead.
Former Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama will pay tribute to McCain during his funeral ceremony on Saturday at the National Cathedral.
Vice-President Mike Pence will also address a service in McCain’s honour at the capitol on Friday.
Earlier on Monday, before the flag U-turn, McCain family friend Rick Davis read out a posthumous message prepared by the senator before his death from brain cancer on Saturday.
The rather sparing statement on Monday was the first from the White House to reference McCain’s death.
None was issued over the weekend, though one was drafted, according to US media.
Instead, both the president and vice-president offered their condolences to the senator’s family via Twitter.
My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2018
Karen and I send our deepest condolences to Cindy and the entire McCain family on the passing of Senator John McCain. We honor his lifetime of service to this nation in our military and in public life. His family and friends will be in our prayers. God bless John McCain.
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) August 26, 2018
The antipathy between the president and McCain has been well documented since Mr Trump took office.
Earlier this month, when he signed a multi-billion dollar defence bill named after McCain, the president did not say his name.
Mr McCain’s body will lie in state in the Arizona State Capitol on Wednesday and at the US Capitol Rotunda on Friday, giving his colleagues and the public a chance to pay their respects.
He will then be laid to rest on Sunday in a private ceremony at the US Naval Academy chapel.
