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President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered all federal flags to be flown at half-staff to honor National Guardswoman Sarah Beckstrom, who was shot and killed while on duty in Washington as part of the administration’s intensified crime enforcement effort in the city.
Beckstrom, a member of the West Virginia Army National Guard, was deployed to the District of Columbia under President Trump’s directive to increase federal support for local law enforcement amid rising violence. Authorities said she was fatally struck by gunfire during an attack near a Guard deployment site.
The president issued a proclamation directing that flags be lowered across all federal properties through sunset on December 4.
“As a mark of respect for the memory of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, West Virginia Army National Guard, 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, December 4, 2025,” President Trump said in a statement.
“I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations,” he added.
Guard leaders and state officials in West Virginia praised Beckstrom’s service and condemned the attack, calling it a stark reminder of the dangers Guardsmen face during high-visibility deployments.
President Trump also met on Thursday with the family of National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe at the White House, offering support and pledging continued federal assistance as Wolfe recovers from a gunshot wound suffered while on duty in Washington.
Wolfe, a member of the District of Columbia National Guard, was critically injured last month during the same shooting and remains hospitalized in serious condition.
“The great family of Andrew Wolfe — Our wonderful National Guardsman who was badly injured protecting the Capital of the United States of America. He is in the process of healing. His parents, brother, and all of his friends are praying. I just met them in the Oval Office — They are fantastic American Patriots!” President Trump posted to social media.
