House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday ordered Capitol flags to be flown at full staff on the day of the presidential inauguration, pausing a 30-day order to keep them at half-staff after the inauguration. death of former President Jimmy Carter.
The Republican leader’s decision means that President-elect Donald Trump will not be sworn in for his second term under a flag at half-mast, a possibility he had previously complained about.
This action reflects recent actions taken by some Republican governors who have announced that flags in their states will be flown at full mast on the day of Trump’s inauguration ceremony.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey did so Tuesday, noting in a social media post that the state’s American flags would be lowered to half-staff again on Jan. 21 in Carter’s honor. Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a similar advisory on Monday.
The 30-day period to lower flags to half-staff, which began with President Joe Biden’s order, includes flags on federal government buildings and grounds, as well as U.S. embassies and other sites abroad. , including military installations and vessels.
This period runs through January 28, covering Trump’s inauguration and his first week in office. In accordance with Biden’s order, governors across the country issued their own orders to regulate the raising of flags in their respective states.
The incoming president expressed dismay that flags would still be at half-staff when he is sworn in, and may order a full reversal of Biden’s decision once he is installed as president on Jan. 20.
“All Democrats are ‘ecstatic’” about the idea that flags will be at half-mast on Inauguration Day, Trump wrote on Jan. 3 on social media.
“No one wants to see this,” Trump wrote. He added that “no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it develops. LET’S RETURN GREATNESS TO AMERICA!”
Trump has already taken action regarding the flags he can control: those at his Florida home. In the days after Carter’s funeral, a large American flag was seen at Trump’s private club, Mar-a-Lago, flying at full mast, despite an order from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, reflecting Biden’s.
As of Tuesday, DeSantis had not changed the flag order in his own state.
The flag code sets parameters for flying the flag at half-staff, including a 30-day period for current or former presidents to cover flags on federal government buildings and grounds, as well as U.S. embassies. and other overseas sites, including military installations and vessels.
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channels YouTube, WhatsApp and to newsletter. Turn on notifications and follow us on Facebook, x and instagram.
Add Comment