House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson posted on social media that the flags at the Capitol will fly at full-staff on Inauguration Day, despite the order for them to be lowered in honor of the late former President Jimmy Carter.
Newsweek has emailed the Trump transition team and President Joe Biden's administration on Tuesday morning for additional comment.
Why It Matters
Biden ordered the United States flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days following former President Jimmy Carter's death on December 29. Because U.S. flag code requires flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days from the death of a sitting or former president, the flags would remain lowered when Trump was sworn in for a second term on January 20.
What To Know
Republican House Speaker Johnson's post announced that the flags will be raised to "celebrate our country coming together behind the inauguration of our 47th President, Donald Trump."
"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 posted. "The flags will be lowered back to half-staff the following day to continue honoring President Jimmy Carter."
Earlier this month, Trump complained on Truth Social about the flags being at half-staff "for the first time ever during an Inauguration of a future President."
"Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it," Trump posted. "Let's see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
However, the sitting president made the proclamation to lower a flag, so Trump cannot do anything until he is fully sworn into office.
On Monday, Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered for the flags at the Texas Capitol and all state buildings to be raised to full-staff on January 20 as well.
What People Are Saying
Florida Representative Cory Mills on X: "The U.S. flags over the nation's Capitol should be raised to full-staff during the inauguration ceremony on the morning of January 20, 2025, to honor the occasion. This momentous event celebrates the choice of the American people, symbolizes the strength of our democracy, and marks the peaceful transfer of power. It is the responsibility of leadership to ensure that the U.S. flags reflect the significance of this day and the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump."
President-elect Trump, on Truth Social: "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. Look at what they've done to our once GREAT America over the past four years - It's a total mess."
What's Next
Flags are meant to be flown at half-staff to honor Carter until Tuesday, January 28, meaning they will be lowered after Trump's inauguration and through the first week of Trump's second term.
This is a developing news story and will be updated with more information.
English (US) ·