Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — The legislature has passed a bill requiring Iowa public officials to follow the governor’s order to fly the American flag and the Iowa flag at half staff on public buildings.
Last September, the chairman of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors defied Governor Reynolds’ executive order to lower the flags on public grounds in honor of Charlie Kirk, the nationally known conservative activist who was murdered during an event in Utah.
Senator Dawn Driscoll, a Republican from Williamsburg, says after Kirk’s killing, President Trump called on all Americans to reject political violence of any kind.
Johnson County Supervisor Jon Green said last September that he condemned Kirk’s killing, but he would not grant county honors to a man he said had made it his mission to denigrate many Johnson County constituents.
Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner of Iowa City says Kirk’s murder was an abomination, but she argues the proposal may raise First Amendment concerns.
The bill passed the Senate two months ago on a 36-9 vote. The House approved it this week by an even wider margin, 82-5.
Representative Mark Thompson of Clarion says the bill includes enforcement provisions if a similar situation happens again.
Governor Reynolds posted a message on social media confirming she will sign the bill into law. She thanked the House and Senate for ensuring flags will be flown at half-staff when ordered to show respect for those whose service deserves such recognition.
Johnson County Supervisor Jon Green has also issued a statement, saying the Legislature could conclude its work on time if Republicans stopped “wasting so much effort micromanaging Johnson County.”
KIWA Staff Photo
