Hochul orders flags to be raised for Trump’s inauguration despite current mourning period for Jimmy Carter
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, has made the decision to order flags in the state to be flown at full-staff on Monday for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. This decision comes as the nation continues to mourn the passing of former President Jimmy Carter.
In a statement to the New York Post on Sunday, Governor Hochul expressed her belief in the importance of honoring the traditions of Inauguration Day, regardless of political views. She stated, “Tomorrow, we are all Americans as we observe the centuries-old traditions of Inauguration Day. For that reason, I am directing flags to fly at full staff throughout the State of New York on January 20 and return to half staff to honor the late President Carter on January 21. The American tradition of the peaceful transition of power is something to celebrate.”
This directive from Governor Hochul comes amidst President Biden’s order for flags at all government and public buildings and grounds across the country to fly at half-staff for a 30-day mourning period following Carter’s death on December 29, 2024. This period of mourning includes Inauguration Day.
Governor Hochul joins a number of Democratic governors, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, in ordering flags to be raised for Trump’s inauguration before the mourning period for Carter ends on January 28.
On the Republican side, several governors have also directed flags to be raised on Monday, including Idaho Governor Brad Little, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
President-elect Donald Trump had previously expressed his disapproval of the idea of flags being displayed at half-staff for his inauguration following Carter’s death. In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized Democrats for being “giddy” about the potential display of flags at half-staff during his inauguration.
In the past, flags were flown at half-staff when former President Nixon was sworn in for his second term in 1973 after Nixon ordered the flags to be lowered following the death of former President Truman. The tradition of lowering flags to half-staff to honor a former president is a longstanding practice in the United States.
Overall, Governor Hochul’s decision to raise flags for Trump’s inauguration while also honoring the memory of former President Carter reflects the complexity of navigating traditions and mourning periods in American politics. It is a reminder of the importance of unity and respect for the democratic process, even in times of division and grief.
