Politics
This is the reason why the 30 days of flags at half-staff for Jimmy Carter’s death will be temporarily suspended
Flags throughout the U.S. are being flown at half-staff to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who died in December. They will be raised in a few days.
Flags at federal and state government offices throughout the United States and all military posts have been flying at half-staff since the death of former President Jimmy Carter on Dec. 29, 2024.
President Joe Biden issued a proclamation to lower them for the standard 30 days as stated by the federal flag code.
“The flag should fly at half-staff for 30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president,” according to Veterans Affairs.
Flags were set to return to their full height on Jan. 29, 2025.
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Republican politicians announce flags will be raised on Inauguration Day
However, this symbol of respect for the late president will be suspended next week. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has ordered flags at the U.S. Capitol to be raised to full staff when Donald Trump is sworn in as president on Monday, Jan. 20.
The president-elect had earlier expressed annoyance about the idea of taking his oath of office under a flag flying at half-staff.
“Democrats are all ‘giddy’” about the notion that flags will be lowered on Inauguration Day, Trump posted on social media soon after the New Year.
The 30-day flag-lowering period encompasses Inauguration Day and Trump’s first week back in the White House.
Flags were at half-staff when President Richard Nixon was sworn in for his second term on Jan. 20, 1973, to honor the death of former President Harry S. Truman on Dec. 26, 1972.
Several Republican governors have already announced they would be raising flags in their states to full staff on the day that Trump is inaugurated as president for the second time.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong, and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee were among those who issued such announcements. They added that U.S. flags in their states would once again be lowered on Tuesday, Jan. 21 to continue honoring Carter.
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