House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has announced that flags will be flying at full-staff for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration despite the order that the flags should fly at half-staff for 30 days after the death of former President Jimmy Carter.
On December 29, Carter passed away at 100 years old. Traditionally, the American flag is required to fly at half-staff for 30 days after a president’s death at all federal buildings, federal grounds, and naval vessels in all U.S. states, territories, and possessions. Thus, President Joe Biden ordered flags to fly at half-staff through sunset on January 28.
The American flag was lowered to half-staff at the U.S. Capitol following the death of former President Jimmy Carter.
A funeral for Carter, who died on Sunday at the age of 100, will be held on Jan. 9 at the Washington National Cathedral. https://t.co/8cmVtOPd4T pic.twitter.com/dMFoelIu8R
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) December 30, 2024
However, this is an unprecedented situation, as the presidential inauguration falls within this time frame — leading to a debate about proper procedures among conservatives, and a ridiculous celebration among the left. Many Democrats are practically “giddy” about the idea of Trump being sworn in under a flag flying at half-staff, prompting a fiery response from Trump.
“The Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ‘half mast’ during my Inauguration,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on January 3. “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.”
🚨Trump on the American flag being flown at half-mast during his inauguration following Jimmy Carter’s passing. pic.twitter.com/7pe5x3wlao
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 3, 2025
Much to the Democrats’ dismay, Johnson has put an end to the bickering over the flag by announcing that all flags at the U.S. Capitol, where Trump’s inauguration will take place, will be flying at full-staff for the day of the ceremony, then returned to half-staff the following day to continue the mourning period for 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,” the House Speaker wrote in a statement posted on X. “The flags will be lowered back to half-staff the following day to continue honoring 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.
The flags will be lowered back to half-staff the following day to continue honoring President Jimmy Carter.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 14, 2025
Johnson was praised on social media for his decision, with Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) writing: “Inauguration Day should be a day of celebration – NOT a day when our nation’s flag is flown at half mast.”
“I’m proud to cosponsor @RepMonicaDLC’s legislation to ensure the American flag is ALWAYS fully raised on Inauguration Day,” he added.
Thank you, @SpeakerJohnson. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Inauguration Day should be a day of celebration – NOT a day when our nation’s flag is flown at half mast.
I'm proud to cosponsor @RepMonicaDLC's legislation to ensure the American flag is ALWAYS fully raised on Inauguration Day. https://t.co/z5y7wNUb0j
— Congressman Nathaniel Moran (@RepNateMoran) January 14, 2025
Johnson’s decision comes after several Republican governors have already ordered that flags in their state capitols and buildings return to full-staff for Trump’s inauguration, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R), and North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong (R).
“Inauguration Day is a day of celebration for America,” Abbott wrote in a post on X on Monday. “Today, I ordered flags raised to full-staff at the Texas Capitol & state buildings for President Trump’s inauguration. While we honor President Carter’s service, we also celebrate an incoming President & our bright future.”
Inauguration Day is a day of celebration for America.
Today, I ordered flags raised to full-staff at the Texas Capitol & state buildings for President Trump’s inauguration.
While we honor President Carter’s service, we also celebrate an incoming President & our bright future. pic.twitter.com/eEqsVMKUCl
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 13, 2025