Street preacher raises post office flag, protesting Trump’s order honoring Dolly Parton

BORGER, Texas (KVII) — A street preacher raised the U.S. flag at the Borger Post Office to full staff over the weekend, objecting to President Donald Trump’s order that flags at federal buildings be lowered in honor of Dolly Parton.

David Grisham said he raised the flag after it had been lowered to half-staff under the presidential proclamation issued following Parton’s death.

“She’s never served in the United States government in any capacity officially,” Grisham said. “I don’t think this is an appropriate way to honor her.”

Grisham said he believes half-staff honors should be reserved for service members and government officials.

“I don’t think it’s the United States government’s business to honor some country western star,” he said. “Many of our troops don’t get this honor.”

Trump issued a proclamation Aug. 25 directing that U.S. flags fly at half-staff at the White House, federal public buildings and grounds, military installations and U.S. embassies through sunset Tuesday, Sept. 1, in memory of Parton.

The proclamation applies to federal property, including post offices. Parton, 80, was a singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist known for a career spanning decades and for programs including the Imagination Library, which provides books to children.

The U.S. Flag Code establishes several mandatory periods for flags to be flown at half-staff following the deaths of certain federal and state officials, including presidents, members of Congress and governors. It also allows the president to issue proclamations directing flags to be flown at half-staff following the deaths of other officials or foreign dignitaries.

Trump’s order cites his authority under the Constitution and laws of the United States and directs federal facilities nationwide to follow the half-staff order through Tuesday. Read the proclamation in the Federal Register.