Mike Johnson Gives Update on Capitol Flags for Donald Trump Inauguration

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on social media that the U.S. flags at the Capitol will fly at full-staff on Inauguration Day, despite an ongoing directive to lower them in honor of the late former President Jimmy Carter.

Why It Matters:

Following the death of former President Jimmy Carter on December 29, President Biden ordered that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff for 30 days in his memory. According to U.S. flag code, the flags must remain lowered for 30 days after the death of a sitting or former president. As a result, the flags would typically remain at half-staff during Donald Trump’s second inauguration on January 20.

What To Know:

In his post, Republican Speaker Johnson declared that the flags would be raised to full-staff "to celebrate our country coming together behind the inauguration of our 47th President, Donald Trump." Johnson emphasized that the flags would be lowered back to half-staff on January 21 to continue honoring President Carter.

Earlier this month, Donald Trump criticized the decision to fly the flags at half-staff, stating on Truth Social that it was "the first time ever during an inauguration of a future President." He added, "Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

However, because the flag order came from the sitting president, Trump has no authority to alter it until he is officially sworn in.

On Monday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an order for the flags at the Texas Capitol and all state buildings to be raised to full-staff on January 20.

What People Are Saying:

Florida Representative Cory Mills tweeted, "The U.S. flags over the nation's Capitol should be raised to full-staff during the inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2025, to honor the occasion. This momentous event celebrates the choice of the American people, symbolizes the strength of our democracy, and marks the peaceful transfer of power. It is the responsibility of leadership to ensure that the U.S. flags reflect the significance of this day and the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump."

President-elect Trump also posted on Truth Social, "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. Look at what they've done to our once GREAT America over the past four years – It's a total mess."

What's Next:

The flags will remain at half-staff in honor of President Carter until January 28, which means they will be lowered after Trump's inauguration and throughout the first week of his second term.