House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced on Tuesday that flags at the U.S. Capitol will be flown at full-staff for Inauguration Day on January 20 to commemorate the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. The flags will then be returned to half-staff on January 21 to continue the official mourning period for former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024.
In a post on X, Johnson emphasized the importance of the occasion, stating, "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." This decision reflects a significant moment of national unity while honoring the legacy of President Carter, who served as the 39th President of the United States.
President Joe Biden previously ordered flags on all federal grounds—including military installations, naval vessels, embassies, and U.S. territories—to be lowered to half-staff for 30 days to honor President Carter, in accordance with U.S. Flag Code. The Biden administration has not responded to inquiries about making an exception for Inauguration Day, a historic and symbolic event for the nation.
The U.S. Flag Code does not mandate flags to be flown at full-staff on Inauguration Day but does require them to remain at half-staff during a 30-day mourning period for a former president. The code stipulates that flags be flown at half-staff when directed by the President or a state governor. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, issued an order on Monday to raise flags on state grounds to full-staff for Inauguration Day, citing the importance of honoring the democratic tradition of a peaceful transfer of power.
“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,” Abbott said in a statement. He acknowledged the nation’s respect for Carter’s leadership but underscored the need to celebrate America’s bright future. Abbott also cited federal statutes that support raising the flag on Inauguration Day.
President-elect Trump expressed his criticism of President Biden’s decision to keep federal flags at half-staff on Inauguration Day. Posting on Truth Social on January 3, Trump accused Democrats of politicizing the matter, stating, “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.” Trump highlighted the distinction between "mast," used for flags on ships, and "staff," used for flags on land, emphasizing that the American people want to see their flag at full-staff during this historic occasion.
For the first time in U.S. history, flags will be flown at half-staff during a presidential inauguration on federal grounds, a decision that has sparked debate about protocol and symbolism. Trump expressed hope that the situation would be resolved to align with the expectations of the American people. Meanwhile, at Trump’s private Mar-a-Lago club, flags have already been returned to full-staff.
Following Governor Abbott’s lead, other Republican governors, including Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, have also directed state flags to be raised to full-staff for Inauguration Day. Reynolds stated, “Iowa will celebrate and recognize this historic change in our country’s leadership by raising our flags.” Ivey issued a similar directive, affirming her commitment to honoring the nation’s democratic principles.
The unique circumstances surrounding this year’s Inauguration Day have highlighted the intersection of tradition, protocol, and political discourse. As the nation prepares to welcome its 47th President, the decision to raise or lower the flag continues to be a focal point of discussion, reflecting broader debates about unity, respect, and the values symbolized by the American flag.
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