Why US Flags Will Fly at Half-Mast During Donald Trump’s Inauguration

This month, US flags will be flown at half-mast in respect of former President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29 at the age of 100. The order, signed by President Joe Biden, directs flags at federal buildings, US embassies, and military installations around the world to stay lowered for 30 days as a mark of respect. The period falls within the inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20.

President-elect Donald Trump had expressed discontent over the flag-lowering directive. On social media, he commented, “The Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag possibly 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!”

He continued, “In any event, because of the death of President Jimmy Carter, the Flag may, for the first time during the inauguration of a future president, be at half-mast. Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

Role of the US Flag Code

The US flag code prescribes half-mast flying protocols. In the case of a sitting or former president, it prescribes a 30-day mourning period. This should be done over federal buildings, military facilities, and US embassies in both domestic and foreign locations.

Power to Order Flags at Half-Mast

According to the flag code, the President of the United States, state governors, and the Mayor of Washington, D.C., have the authority to issue orders for lowering flags. In this case, President Joe Biden made the order to start the period of mourning.

Can Trump Change the Directive?

Although the flag code suggests a 30-day period of mourning, it is not required. After Trump assumes office, he can reverse Biden’s order and raise the flags to full-staff if he so wishes.

There is precedent for flags being flown at half-staff during a presidential inauguration. In January 1973, flags were lowered during Richard Nixon’s second inauguration to honor former President Harry S Truman, who had recently passed away. Nixon made sure the flags remained lowered during part of the inaugural celebrations.

Trump’s History with Flag Protocol

This is not the first time Trump has drawn attention for his stance on flag-lowering orders. In 2018, following Senator John McCain’s death, Trump faced criticism for briefly raising flags at the White House after a weekend of mourning. Amid backlash, the flags were lowered again, but the incident sparked widespread debate.

However, the flag-lowering order, in this case, for Jimmy Carter, stands effective until the 20th of January except after the president opts to change that.