Capitol flags will fly full-staff for Trump inauguration


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In a move balancing ceremonial duties with respect for the departed, House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced plans regarding the American flag display at the U.S. Capitol, following President Biden’s directive for a month-long half-staff tribute to former President Jimmy Carter.

“On January 20th, the flags at the Capitol will fly at full-staff to celebrate our country coming together behind the inauguration of our 47th President, Donald Trump,” Johnson stated, clarifying that his directive applies exclusively to Capitol flags. He added, “The flags will be lowered back to half-staff the following day to continue honoring President Jimmy Carter.”

The practice will resume after Trump’s inauguration, with flags returning to half-staff through January 28 in Carter’s honor.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has aligned with this approach, declaring Texas would mirror these flag protocols. Abbott elaborated, “Texas continues to mourn with our fellow Americans across the country over the passing of former President Jimmy Carter. President Carter’s steadfast leadership left a lasting legacy that will be felt for generations to come, which together as a nation we honor by displaying flags at half-staff for 30 days.”

He further explained, “On January 20, our great nation will celebrate our democratic tradition of transferring power to a new President by inaugurating the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. As we unite our country and usher in this new era of leadership, I ordered all flags to be raised to full-staff at the Texas Capitol and all state buildings for the inauguration of President Trump.”

Several Republican governors have implemented similar measures. North Dakota’s Kelly Armstrong, Florida’s Ron DeSantis, Alabama’s Kay Ivey, Tennessee’s Bill Lee, and Iowa’s Kim Reynolds announced comparable protocols.

Armstrong emphasized the significance of the occasion, stating, “The inauguration of a U.S. president is a time to celebrate, and the Stars and Stripes should fly high as a symbol of freedom and democracy on such a momentous day for our nation.”

Trump expressed displeasure with Biden’s initial flag directive on Truth Social, writing, “The Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ‘half mast’ during my Inauguration. They think it’s so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they don’t love our Country, they only think about themselves.”

He continued, “Look at what they’ve done to our once GREAT America over the past four years — It’s a total mess! 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. Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”