WASHINGTON — The flags at the Capitol will fly at their full height when Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president next week, House Speaker Mike Johnson declared Tuesday.
“On January 20th, the flags at the Capitol will fly at full-staff to celebrate our country coming together behind the inauguration” of the president-elect, Johnson (R-La.) said in a statement.
“The flags will be lowered back to half-staff the following day to continue honoring President Jimmy Carter,” he added.
President Biden had ordered flags to half-staff for 30 days in commemoration of Carter, who passed away Dec. 29 at the age of 100.
The half-staff command applies to the White House, all public buildings and military posts, the lame-duck commander-in-chief announced in his order.
Republicans have pointed out in recent weeks that under the original order, flags would be half-staff during inaugural festivities in Washington, lending an awkward counterpoint to celebrations of Trump’s swearing-in.
The president-elect himself had expressed annoyance earlier this month that the flags would not be raised for his inauguration, writing on Truth Social that Democrats were “giddy” about the implication the nation would be in mourning for his assumption of office.
“Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote Jan. 3.
Flags at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., were raised to full staff on Monday, despite GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis issuing a 30-day order similar to Biden’s.
On Monday, GOP Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had announced that American flags at Lone Star State government outposts would be flown full-staff in recognition of Trump’s inauguration.
“Today, I ordered flags raised to full-staff at the Texas Capitol & state buildings for President Trump’s inauguration,” Abbott wrote on X. “While we honor President Carter’s service, we also celebrate an incoming President & our bright future.”
The 30-day period ordered by Biden is due to end Jan. 28.
Johnson’s order only covers flags at the Capitol rather than other government buildings, though Trump can rescind Biden’s order upon taking office at noon Jan. 20.
