Defiance in New York and New Jersey has sparked outrage among conservatives after both states ignored President Donald Trump’s call to lower flags for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The refusal, particularly in Bergen County, has ignited a firestorm of criticism from those who see it as a snub to a federal directive, as the New York Post reports. Yet, the left shrugs, claiming it’s just protocol.

Trump proclaimed on Wednesday to lower U.S. flags nationwide through Sunday at 6 p.m. to honor Kirk, the 31-year-old Turning Point USA co-founder shot dead Tuesday at Utah Valley University. New York and New Jersey opted to keep their flags at full staff, while states like Pennsylvania and Delaware complied. Bergen County, following New Jersey’s lead, has drawn particular ire for sticking to state guidance.

Kirk’s death has unleashed a torrent of tributes and political spats across the nation. The young conservative firebrand was gunned down by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, police say, with federal agents now raiding Robinson’s Utah apartment and childhood home. Trump hailed Kirk as “a truly Great American Patriot,” but not everyone is saluting.

Bergen County faces backlash

Bergen County’s decision to follow New Jersey’s “full staff” flag status has conservatives fuming. A spokesperson for the county’s executive office insisted they were just adhering to the state’s daily guidance. That excuse isn’t flying with those who see it as a deliberate middle finger to Trump’s authority.

Republican commissioner candidate Jay Costa took to Instagram, blasting Bergen County Democrats for “ignoring federal orders” to honor Kirk. “Truly despicable! They deserve to lose in November,” Costa thundered, vowing voters would remember the slight. His fiery rhetoric captures the conservative frustration boiling over in the wake of Kirk’s killing.

The county doubled down on its stance in a Facebook post, stating it “condemns all forms of political violence and rejects hate in every form.” Nice words, but they ring hollow when flags stay high while a conservative hero lies dead. Critics argue the post sidesteps the real issue: disrespecting a presidential directive.

States’ rights or political snub?

New Jersey’s official flag status remained at full staff, and Bergen County followed suit without hesitation. Several other New Jersey municipalities mirrored this move, showing it wasn’t just a Bergen County quirk. Meanwhile, the White House lowered its flags that very afternoon, highlighting the stark contrast.

New York also kept its flags aloft, ignoring Trump’s proclamation entirely. Experts like vexillologist Michael Green point out that states and local governments aren’t obligated to follow federal flag-lowering orders. “States, businesses, and private individuals have the choice to follow the federal government or not,” Green noted, offering a legal shield for the defiance.

That technicality doesn’t soothe conservative anger. Many see New York and New Jersey’s refusal as a calculated jab at Trump and Kirk’s legacy. The states’ silence on why they skipped the order only fuels suspicions of political posturing.

Kirk’s death sparks national divide

Kirk’s shooting at Utah Valley University has sent shockwaves far beyond conservative circles. The young man's death isn’t just a tragedy -- it’s a flashpoint in an already polarized nation. Tributes pour in, but so do arguments over how to honor him.

Police have named Robinson as the suspected shooter, and federal agents are digging into his background. Raids on his Utah apartment and childhood home signal a thorough investigation, but answers remain scarce. The motive behind Kirk’s killing is still a question mark, adding fuel to the political fire.

Conservatives view Kirk’s death as an attack on their values, and the flag controversy only deepens that wound. Trump’s directive was meant to unify the nation in mourning, but New York and New Jersey’s defiance has turned it into another culture war battleground. The left’s adherence to “protocol” feels like a cold shoulder to many.

Legacy in review

Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was a lightning rod in life and now in death. His outspoken conservative activism made him a hero to some and a villain to others. The flag flap in New York and New Jersey only underscores that divide.

Bergen County’s Facebook post may condemn political violence, but it sidesteps the optics of ignoring a presidential call to honor a slain activist. Conservatives like Costa aren’t letting it slide, framing the county’s decision as a betrayal of American values. They argue that protocol shouldn’t trump patriotism.

As the nation mourns Kirk, the flag controversy reveals a deeper truth: even in death, unity is elusive. New York and New Jersey’s refusal to lower flags may be legally defensible, but it’s a bitter pill for those who saw Kirk as a champion. The fight over his legacy is just beginning.