A Republican official who oversees Nassau County on New York's Long Island  seemingly refused to lower flags to half-staff in memory of the late Democratic President Jimmy Carter, who died last weekend at the age of 100.

Critics had assailed the Nassau County executive for not ordering flags at half-staff to honor the 39th president.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman seemingly refused to comply with the federal mandate, but on Sunday he released a statement saying flags will be lowered at county-operated buildings while Carter lies in state.