A Mississippi mayor is facing criticism after pushing back at lowering flags to half-staff following the death of country music icon and philanthropist Dolly Parton.
In the hours following Parton's death
on Aug. 25, President Donald Trump ordered American flags to be lowered nationwide for a week. Cities across the United States have adopted the order to honor Parton. But Adams sees it differently, according to his post.
"I believe lowering the American flag to half-staff should mean something very significant. In my opinion, it should be reserved for our military heroes, fallen first responders, presidents and other major national leaders, or events that have had a tremendous impact on our country," part of a statement by Olive Branch Mayor Ken Adams shared on the city's Facebook page the evening of Aug. 28 read. "If we lower the flag every time a well-known or beloved person passes away, I believe we eventually lessen the meaning of the gesture."
Olive Branch, a city of around 47,000 according to Census data, sits just south of Memphis. Adams, previously a DeSoto County judge and longtime FedEx leader, won his seat in 2021. It was not immediately clear if the city lowered flags after Parton's death. Adams did not immediately return an email and phone call from The Tennessean asking about the matter Aug. 29.
In his Facebook statement, the mayor said there is "no question" that Parton was a great person who brought happiness to millions and accomplished "tremendous things" in her life.
"I have nothing but respect for her," Adams said in the post.
But he also said he believes local government should have a role in such decisions, citing Home Rule, which gives Mississippi cities leeway to control their own internal affairs. Adams said while it's important to respect what the president decides for the country and the mayor decides for the state, he believes mayors should be able make decisions for their own constituents and "use our own judgement when appropriate."
"I also don’t believe residents elected me to be a 'salute and execute' mayor but to lead with conviction," Adams' statement read.
More than 1,000 comments had poured in below the post as of 11 a.m. on Aug. 29. While some supported Adams, many appeared to be critical of his statement. Some critics pointed to Trump's order to lower flags after the death of Charlie Kirk, conservative leader and Turning Point USA founder, in 2025 and after the death of well-known comedian Bob Hope in 2003. Others said Adams' personal beliefs should not dictate compliance with Trump's order, while others cited Parton's steadfast support of U.S. military servicemembers and her multiple Presidential Medal of Freedom awards — all of which she declined.
"This isn’t about disrespecting Dolly Parton. It isn’t about politics. And it certainly isn’t about saying she wasn’t a great American," Adams wrote. "It's simply my belief that the American flag at half-staff is one of the highest honors we can give, and I believe that honor should be reserved for truly extraordinary circumstances. Sometimes preserving the meaning of an honor means being selective about when we use it."
Reach Tennessean reporter Rachel Wegner at RAwegner@tennessean.com or find her on X or Bluesky under the handle RachelAnnWegner.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Mississippi mayor pushes back on lowering flags to honor Dolly Parton
