By Tiffany Williams –
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont ordered flags across the state to half-staff Wednesday night following President Donald Trump’s proclamation honoring Charlie Kirk, who was killed in a shocking act of political violence earlier in the day. The order took effect immediately and will remain through sunset on Sunday, September 14.
“Political violence of any kind has no place in our country and is never acceptable,” Lamont said. “The tragic attack on Charlie Kirk today is absolutely awful. My prayers are with him and his family.”
The directive means flags at the State Capitol and every state-operated building will be lowered. Lamont’s office urged towns, schools, businesses, and private institutions to follow suit, noting that no flag should be flown higher than the U.S. flag.
The order comes as flags were already set to be lowered Thursday in remembrance of September 11. Connecticut will now see nearly a week of continuous half-staff observance — first for the 24th anniversary of America’s deadliest terrorist attack, and now for a high-profile political killing that’s already rocking the nation.
For Lamont, a Democrat, the message went beyond symbolism. The governor’s swift statement was an attempt to tamp down tensions before they spread, underscoring that violence tied to politics is not only abhorrent but destabilizing. With Trump’s proclamation and Lamont’s order in lockstep, the bipartisan signal was loud: no matter where you stand, the line is clear.