Internal City of Fort Worth emails obtained by The Dallas Express reveal that Fort Worth Councilman Chris Nettles, a Democrat, criticized city staff for lowering flags to half-staff after the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Fort Worth Democrat Councilwoman Elizabeth Beck is under fire for an Instagram story posted shortly after Kirk’s assassination. DX first broke the story on its X account, and it has since been picked up nationally. Despite the backlash, which has led to a recall effort against Beck, Nettles and fellow Democrat Councilwoman Deborah Peoples defended her post.
The emails show Nettles demanding to know why the decision was made and accusing staff of creating division.
“This post on Facebook says Donald Trump ordered flags to be half-staff, where is the order? Who gave the ok? Who informed City Council (which is the representation of the city)?,” Nettles wrote.
In the same email, Nettles accused city employees of promoting hate.
“Whoever ok this from the city, be it Mattie, Jay or any other city staff. Please know that you are sending a message of division, divisiveness and even hatred. There are so many mix emotions surrounding the shooting, his stance towards a certain class of people or even race and gender,” Nettles said in an email to city staff.
“Mattie” refers to Fort Worth Mayor, Mattie Parker. “Jay” is Fort Worth City Manager, Jay Chapa.
City staff responded that the decision was not discretionary but required under longstanding city policy.
“President Trump issued a Proclamation ordering that flags be lowered to half mast [sic]. City policy has always been to follow the order when issued by the President, Governor or Mayor. Staff implemented the order,” the reply stated.
Nettles, however, rejected the explanation and suggested the city should rethink its policy of following presidential proclamations.
“Times have dramatically changed,” Nettles wrote, adding that he plans to raise the city’s precedent of honoring presidential proclamations in an open forum.
The Dallas Express reached out to Nettles for comment, but he had not responded by publication.