In an abrupt reversal, the White House decided Tuesday afternoon to order that flags be flown at half-staff to honor the four U.S. Marines and one sailor killed in the attacks at two Chattanooga military facilities last week.
Fox News reported the decision, which came hours after House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) called for the flags over the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff to honor the Chattanooga victims.
President Obama received criticism from many, including Navy SEAL veteran Marcus Luttrell, when the White House refused to order flags to be flown at half-staff Monday without reason.
Following a speech in Pittsburg at the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ national convention, Obama issued a proclamation for flags to be flown at half-staff from now until July 25 in honor of the five victims of the Chattanooga attacks, according to CBS Pittsburgh.
He labeled the move a "mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence."
On Tuesday morning, Boehner called the shootings at the Naval Marine Corps Reserve Center and nearby Army Recruiting Center in Chattanooga a "terror attack," offering prayers for loved ones of the five service members shot and killed by alleged gunman Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez.
Boehner also held a moment of silence for the victims with his colleagues on the House floor Tuesday.
Federal officials have launched a full-scale terrorism investigation into the attacks.