Abbott orders flags at full-staff for Trump’s inauguration despite one month order to honor Carter
Texas Governor Greg Abbott made headlines on Monday as he announced that flags at the state Capitol building in Austin and at all state office buildings will be raised to full-staff next Monday, January 20, to mark President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. This decision comes despite the official order by President Joe Biden, after the December 29 death of former President Jimmy Carter, that flags across the country would fly at half-staff for a 30-day mourning period.
In his announcement, Abbott stated, “On January 20, our great nation will celebrate our democratic tradition of transferring power to a new President by inaugurating the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. As we unite our country and usher in this new era of leadership, I have ordered all flags to be raised to full-staff at the Texas Capitol and all state buildings for the inauguration of President Trump.”
While honoring the service of a former President, Abbott emphasized the importance of celebrating the service of an incoming President and the bright future ahead for the United States of America. A conservative three-term Texas governor, Abbott’s decision to raise the flags to full-staff has sparked mixed reactions among the public.
An adviser to Abbott revealed that flags at the Texas Capitol and state offices will resume flying at half-staff on January 21, following the inauguration ceremony. Abbott also expressed his condolences over the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, stating, “Texas continues to mourn with our fellow Americans across the country over the passing of former President Jimmy Carter. President Carter’s steadfast leadership left a lasting legacy that will be felt for generations to come, which together as a nation we honor by displaying flags at half-staff for 30 days.”
The U.S. flag code dictates that flags are flown at half-staff for a 30-day period to mark the passing of a current or former president at federal government buildings, military installations and vessels, as well as at U.S. embassies and other facilities worldwide. State flags are also lowered during such mourning periods to adhere to the code’s guidelines.
Former President Trump, who will be inaugurated as president once again, has expressed his discontent with the flag flying at half-staff during his inauguration. Trump took to social media to claim that “Democrats are all ‘giddy’” about the flags being flown at half-staff, asserting that “No American can be happy about it.” It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold, as the U.S. flag code is not mandatory and can be overridden by the sitting president.
As the nation prepares for a new chapter in leadership, the decision to raise flags to full-staff in Texas has sparked discussions about tradition, respect, and the transition of power. The significance of these gestures during times of mourning and celebration reflects the complexities of American politics and the diverse perspectives that shape our nation’s identity.
