Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott flouted federal orders Monday and announced that all flags in the Lone Star State will be flown at full staff for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration next week.
Abbott’s declaration comes weeks after President Biden ordered flags be flown at half staff for 30 days to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who died at the age of 100 on Dec. 29.
“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.”
In a lengthier statement, Abbott argued that the US flag should be displayed “especially on … Inauguration Day, January 20.”
Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president falls within the 30-day mourning period, which is due to end Jan. 28.
It will be the first time American flags across the nation have flown at half staff during a presidential inauguration.
