Long Island, New York - Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman had to be shamed into agreeing to lower US flags to half-mast in honor of the late ex-president Jimmy Carter.

After days of outcries from Long Island Democrats, Blakeman finally agreed to the traditional gesture of respect in tribute to Carter, who died last week aged 100.

Blakeman, an avid supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, had previously left flags in Nassau County-run buildings flying at full-mast.

Labeled by some Democrats a "mini-Trump," Nassau's executive faced criticism over the weekend from Democrats who said that flying the flag at half-mast is "the right thing to do."

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"The flags in Nassau County will be at half-staff for President Carter from the commencement of Lying in State on January 7th through burial on January 9th," Blakeman said in a statement released on X.

Blakeman's original decision was seen as a response to rants made by Trump on Truth Social last week.

In response to the US flag potentially being left at half-mast during his inauguration, Trump said that Democrats "don't love our country" and are "giddy."

"In any event, because of the death of President Jimmy Carter, the Flag may, for the first time ever during an Inauguration of a future President, be at half-mast," Trump said.

"Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"