Several more states have confirmed flags will be raised on Inauguration Day, despite the mourning period following former President Jimmy Carter’s death.
After the death of a former president, federal flag code dictates that flags should be flown at half-staff for 30 days. After Former President Jimmy Carter died on Dec. 29 at age 100, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation to lower flags to half-staff for the standard period.
Several government officials have already announced plans to temporarily disregard the proclamation on Inauguration Day, which coincides this year with Martin Luther King Day. The date falls on Jan. 20, within the 30-day mourning period.
Here’s what we know.
Which states will raise flags on Inauguration Day?
A number of state governors have announced by Jan. 15 plans to raise flags to full-staff on Inauguration Day:
Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, like several other governors, cited a federal statute stating that the U.S. flag should be displayed “especially on Inauguration Day, January 20.”
“While we honor the service of a former President, we must also celebrate the service of an incoming President and the bright future ahead for the United States of America,” Abbott said in a news release.
Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson suspended the mourning period to allow flags at the U.S. Capitol to fly at full-staff during the inauguration despite Biden’s assurance that the White House won’t reconsider the flag order.
“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 said in a statement. “The flags will be lowered back to half-staff the following day to continue honoring President Jimmy Carter.”
Will North Carolina raise flags for Inauguration Day? South Carolina?
Neither N.C. Gov. Josh Stein nor S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster have made statements on plans to raise flags for Inauguration Day as of Jan. 15. Government facilities in both states currently remain under the order to fly flags at half-staff until the 30-day mourning period ends.
Why are flags at half-staff?
Flags at government agencies in NC and across the nation were lowered to half-staff on Dec. 30 in honor and remembrance of the life of the nation’s 39th U.S. President, Jimmy Carter, who died on Jan. 29.
“President Jimmy Carter was the epitome of what it means to be a true public servant in and out of office. In a political world of hate and bombast, President Carter was a kind, calm, giving and sincere man of faith who continued to serve our country and humanity long after his term in office,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “He was an inspiration across the globe, and I join the nation and world in honoring and praying for the Carter family.”
The flag at the United States Capitol flying at half staff in respect for the memory of Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady of Georgia and First Lady of the United States, on Monday, November 27, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Why do flags fly at half-staff?
Usa.gov states that the American flag flies at half-staff when the country or a state is in mourning. The president, a state governor or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff.
An American flag flying at half-staff generally indicates one of these three things:
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The death of a government official, military member or emergency first responder.
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Memorial Day and other national days of remembrance.
Is it half-mast or half-staff?
Previous reporting from Memphis Commercial Appeal explained that on ships and at naval stations ashore, flags are flown at half-mast. Elsewhere ashore, flags are flown at half-staff.
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: These states will raise flags to full-staff on Trump Inauguration Day