Expressing his frustration over US flags being flown at half-staff on his inauguration day, President-elect Donald Trump has attacked the Democrats saying nobody wants to see the flag like that. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Democrats are all giddy." He added that “no American can be happy about it. Let's see how it plays out."
Earlier, US President Joe Biden took the action in remembrance of Jimmy Carter, the late President. When asked about Trump's post at Friday's briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre clarified that Biden would not consider reversing or reevaluating the half-staff plans. Notably, Trump can not do anything about this timeline until he takes office.
US flag to be lowered for 30 days to honour Jimmy Carter
According to Biden's proclamation, US flags will be lowered for 30 days from Carter's death, until January 28. It means that on Trump inauguration i.e., Janurary 20, the US flag will be flown at half-staff. Biden issued an order on Sunday for US flags to be flown at half-staff in honour of the late former president. It indicates that the country is in mourning.
What does the US flag code say?
The US flag code lays out parameters for lowering the US flag to half-staff, including a 30-day period for current or former presidents to cover flags at federal government buildings and their grounds, as well as at US embassies and other facilities abroad, including military installations and vessels.
Flags can be lowered to commemorate the deaths of other officials, including the vice president, Supreme Court justices, and members of Congress, although those periods aren't as long. Flags can also be ordered lowered in other circumstances, including a national tragedy or on Memorial Day.
Since the US flag code states that no flag should fly higher than the American flag on the same pole or nearby, state flags are also lowered during those periods.
(With agency inputs)
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