Firefighters refuse Dem Aurora mayor's order NOT to fly flags at half mast for Charlie Kirk—lower them anyway

Firefighters in Aurora, Illinois, defied orders from Democratic Mayor John Laesch to keep flags at full staff, lowering them in honor of Charlie Kirk despite directives from city leadership to do otherwise.

Laesch’s order contradicted proclamations from both President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker that directed flags be flown at half-staff following the assassination of Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA. Trump’s proclamation specifically honored Kirk, while Pritzker issued a statewide order in memory of “victims of political violence,” avoiding any direct mention of the conservative activist.

A memo from Aurora Fire Chief David McCabe, confirmed by local sources and posted online by retired firefighter Franck Ricci, told staff to raise all city building flags to full staff. The memo warned that any return to half-staff would be considered “a violation of a direct order.”

Firefighters reportedly refused to comply. The firefighters’ union struck an agreement with Laesch’s office that members would not personally be forced to raise flags to full staff. Video shared on X appeared to show Fire Assistance Chief of Operations Matt Anslow raising a station flag himself.

Ricci criticized the decision. “In flagrant disregard for unity, the mayor and chief raised the flags, chasing cheap political points over national mourning,” he told the Daily Caller.

Kirk, who grew up in the Chicago suburbs less than an hour from Aurora, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Authorities have charged Tyler Robinson with the killing.

Aurora was not the only city to defy the half-staff proclamations. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also kept flags at full staff, while Johnson County Supervisor Jon Green in Iowa announced he would not follow Gov. Kim Reynolds’ directive to lower them.

Laesch defended his decision, saying the focus should remain on commemorating the September 11 victims. “Lowering the flag is a solemn act that carries great weight,” he said, according to Fox 32 Chicago.