President Obama Tuesday afternoon ordered all U.S. flags at home and abroad to be flown at half-staff in an expression of solidarity with the people of Brussels after terrorism attacks ripped through the Belgian capital Tuesday morning and killed at least 31 people.
“The American people stand with the people of Brussels,” Obama said in the proclamation. “We will do whatever it takes, working with nations and peoples around the world, to bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice, and to go after terrorists who threaten our people.”
“As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on March 22, 2016, in Brussels, Belgium, by the authority vested in me as president of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations,and on all naval vessels of the federal government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its territories and possessions until sunset, March 26, 2016,” the statement added.
Obama ignored GOP critics’ suggestions that he cut short his historic trip to Cuba, and scrap plans to travel to Argentina for two more days, and return home to respond to the terrorist attack.
While attending a Major League expedition baseball game in Cuba, where he did the wave alongside Cuban President Raul Castro, he said he is continuing his plans in defiance of the terrorists’ goals.
“The whole premise of terrorist is to try to disrupt people’s daily lives,” he said. He added that one of his proudest moments as president was watching Bostonians go back to Fenway after the marathon bombing in 2013.
“Ultimately, this game is about a recognition of goodwill” between our two countries, he said. “People are people.”
