Youngkin orders flags to be raised for Trump’s inauguration amid mourning period for Jimmy Carter’s death

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, made the decision to raise flags to full-staff for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, defying President Biden’s order to keep flags at half-staff in honor of the late former President Jimmy Carter.

In a statement on Saturday, Governor Youngkin stated, “I hereby order that the flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia are to be flown at full-staff on all state and local buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth in recognition of the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States.”

This move by Youngkin goes against the tradition of ordering flags to be displayed at half-staff for a 30-day mourning period following the death of a former president. President Biden had issued an order for flags to remain at half-staff after the passing of Jimmy Carter on December 29, a period that coincided with Inauguration Day.

However, Governor Youngkin clarified that flags in Virginia will return to half-staff to honor Carter on Tuesday following the presidential inauguration. He stated, “The flags will be lowered back to half-staff the following day to continue honoring former President James Earl Carter, Jr. and remain at half-staff through January 28, 2025.”

Youngkin’s decision to raise flags for Trump’s inauguration aligns with several other Republican governors who have also chosen to break tradition and raise flags on Monday. This includes Idaho Gov. Brad Little, North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

On the Democratic side, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, and Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson have also ordered flags to fly at full-staff for Trump’s inauguration before the mourning period ends on January 28.

Former President Trump, who has criticized the idea of flags being displayed at half-staff for his inauguration, expressed his thoughts on the matter on Truth Social. He stated, “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.”

It is worth noting that flags were flown at half-staff during former President Nixon’s second term inauguration in 1973, following his order to lower the flags after the death of former President Truman.

In conclusion, Governor Youngkin’s decision to raise flags for Trump’s inauguration amidst a mourning period for Jimmy Carter has sparked debate and controversy among political circles. The clash of traditions and political statements surrounding flag protocol adds a unique dimension to the upcoming presidential inauguration.