Flags will be lowered to half-staff during President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in January.
President Joe Biden has ordered U.S. flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days from Sunday in honor of Jimmy Carter, the longest-lived American president who died at 100. That means flags will remain lowered when Trump is sworn in for a second term on January 20.
U.S. flag code requires flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days from the death of a sitting or former president.
Why It Matters
Trump and his supporters may be infuriated as the mood on Inauguration Day, a celebratory occasion for them, could instead be a solemn one marked by signs of Carter's passing.
A Trump spokesperson and the Republican National Committee have been contacted for comment via email.
What To Know
Carter died peacefully, surrounded by his family, at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday, The Carter Center said in a statement.
His death came about 22 months after he entered hospice care and just over a year after the death of his wife Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November last year.
Biden has scheduled a state funeral for Carter in Washington, D.C. on January 9. He also declared January 9 as a National Day of Mourning.
Trump has paid a warm tribute to Carter, saying in a post on his Truth Social platform that the challenges Carter "faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude."
The president-elect said that he and his wife Melania "are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time."
However, Trump mocked Carter on his 100th birthday in October while taking a swipe at Biden. At the time, he called Biden the "worst" president in U.S. history and said that Carter "is the happiest man because Jimmy Carter is considered a brilliant president in comparison."
What People Are Saying
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said in a statement that the world has an "extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian."
"Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what's extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well.
"With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people across the globe."
Donald Trump wrote in a second post on Truth Social: "President Jimmy Carter is dead at 100 years of age. While I strongly disagreed with him philosophically and politically, I also realized that he truly loved and respected our Country, and all it stands for. He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect. He was a truly good man and, of course, will be greatly missed. He was also very consequential, far more than most Presidents, after he left the Oval Office. Warmest condolences from Melania and I to his wonderful family!"
What's Next
Carter's state funeral will be held on January 9.
Flags are to be flown at half-staff to honor Carter until Tuesday, January 28—meaning they will be lowered during Trump's inauguration and through the first week of Trump's second term.
But despite the rule for lowering flags to half-staff for 30 days after the death of a sitting or former president, Trump could order flags raised back to full-staff after taking office.
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