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.

Flags around the country continue to be displayed at half-staff on land and half-mast over water in remembrance of former President Jimmy Carter, who died in late December. Carter, who served in the White House from 1979-1981,

The White House ordered that flags at all federal buildings and grounds and at U.S. embassies around the world be flown at half-mast through Jan. 28 in honor of former President Jimmy Carter