An Iowa official defied orders from Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) to lower flags in the state to half-staff in honor of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on Wednesday.
In a post on Facebook, Jon Green, who serves as the Chairman of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, revealed that while he condemned Kirk’s murder, he would “not grant Johnson County honors to a man who made it his life’s mission to denigrate” so many people. Green added that he would “accept any consequence, whether legal or electoral.”
“On my personal authority as the Chairman of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, I have determined to defy the Governor’s order that our colors be at half staff through Sunday on behalf of Charlie J Kirk,” Green said. “I condemn Kirk’s killing, regardless of who pulled the trigger or why. But I will not grant Johnson County honors to a man who made it his life’s mission to denigrate so many of the constituents I have sworn an oath to protect, and who did so much to harm not only the marginalized, but also to degrade the fabric of our body politic.”
“Johnson County flags will fly as usual,” Green continued. “I will accept any consequence, whether legal or electoral, for my decision. It is mine alone.”
In response to Green’s post, Reynold’s expressed that it was “disgraceful that a locally-elected official has chosen to put politics above human decency during a time like this.”
After Kirk was fatally shot in the neck and murdered while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University, President Donald Trump ordered all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday in honor of Kirk.
Both Republican and Democrat lawmakers have issued statements condemning political violence in response to Kirk’s assassination, and have expressed that their prayers “go out to his wife and young children.”
