Flags at federal and state government agencies across the nation are flying at half-staff, and were set to return to full on Jan. 29. This may not be the case in some states.
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.
Inauguration Day, which coincides this year with Martin Luther King Day, falls within this period on Jan. 20. Due to the inauguration, not all areas of the U.S. will be complying with this mourning period.
Here’s what we know.
Flags at half-staff in Asheville circa 2019.
Where will flags raise on Inauguration Day?
Thus far, only one state has ordered flags to be raised to full-staff on Inauguration Day. Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas made the order in accordance with 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.
Abbott added that, though flag code dictates a 30-day mourning period, federal statues declare that the flag should be displayed on Inauguration Day and so ordered flags to be raised at the Texas Capitol and all state buildings.
Additionally, at the request of President-elect Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson has suspended the mourning period to allow flags at the U.S. Capitol to fly at full-staff during the inauguration. This goes against 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.”
It remains to be seen if any other states will make the same decision before Inauguration Day on Jan. 20.
Why are the flags at half-staff in North Carolina?
In addition to Biden’s proclamation, Gov. Roy Cooper ordered NC flags to be lowered to half-staff on Dec. 30 in honor and remembrance of the life of the nation’s 39th U.S. President, Jimmy Carter.
Jimmy Carter served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977-1981, and previously served as the 76th Governor of Georgia as well as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, a Dec. 30 news release from the state said. In 1982, President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, founded the Carter Center in Atlanta to continue their shared passion for improving human rights, public health and enhancing democracy around the globe.
“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,” Cooper said in the news release. “He was an inspiration across the globe, and I join the nation and world in honoring and praying for the Carter family.”
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:
-
The death of a government official, military member or emergency first responder.
-
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.
More: The 2025 tax season opens soon: Here’s what to know about post-Helene deadlines in NC, more
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: Where half-staff flags will be raised on Trump Inauguration Day