Trump inauguration: Why are some flags being flown at half-mast?

US is observing a month of mourning for ex-president Carter but flags at the US Capitol will be raised for swearing-in on House Speaker's order

Flags fly at half-mast near the US Capitol building during preparations for president-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Reuters

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During Donald Trump's swearing-in for his second term as US president on January 20, those watching may notice a curious sight: some flags across Washington will be flown at half-mast.

This year, the presidential transition will take place during a national month of mourning for former president Jimmy Carter.

Why is the US flag being flown at half-mast?

When former presidents die, federal flag code states that the country marks the loss by flying the US flag at half-mast nationwide.

Mr Carter died on December 29, at the age of 100. Following Mr Carter's death, flags were lowered to half-mast for 30 days.

President Joe Biden ordered that “the flag of the United States be displayed at half-mast at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds” as a way to give “honour and tribute to the memory of President James Earl Carter, Jr, and as an expression of public sorrow”.

State funeral held for Jimmy Carter at National Cathedral in Washington

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Mr Biden directed that the flag be displayed at half-mast for “all military posts and naval stations” across the US and its territories until January 28. The instruction also applies to US “embassies, legations, consular offices and other facilities abroad”.

The flag code was first issued in a proclamation by president Dwight Eisenhower.

Why are some flags half-mast and others full-mast on inauguration day?

Washington will see an array of US flags both full-mast and half-mast on inauguration day because of conflicting orders.

Mr Trump will be sworn-in at the US Capitol where flags will be at full-mast due to an order from House Speaker Mike Johnson, an ally of Mr Trump.

“On January 20th, the flags at the Capitol will fly at full-mast to celebrate our country coming together behind the inauguration of our 47th President, Donald Trump,” he said in a post on X. “The flags will be lowered back to half-mast the following day to continue honouring President Jimmy Carter.”

The move is not unprecedented. President Richard Nixon raised flags for a day in February 1973 to honour the first American prisoners of war released from Vietnam during a 30-day mourning period ordered for president Lyndon Johnson.

However, Mr Trump will walk and travel through Washington where federal flags at half-mast are still under Mr Biden's order. The new president will also enter a White House with flags at half-mast.

Has Trump commented on the flags being lowered?

“The Democrats are all 'giddy' about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at 'half-mast' during my Inauguration,” Mr Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

“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. Look at what they’ve done to our once GREAT America over the past four years – It’s a total mess!”

Mr Trump acknowledged Mr Carter's death was the reason the flags will be at half-mast during the inauguration. “Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it,” he wrote.

Flags flew at half-mast during President Nixon's second inauguration in January 1973, following the death of former president Harry Truman.

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Can Trump or anyone else put flags at full-mast?

Yes, Mr Trump or anyone else can display US flags at full-mast if they choose to. The flag code is viewed as federal guidance and not as law.

After being sworn in on January 20, Mr Trump is free to end Mr Biden's order and issue direction to display US flags at full-mast nationally and globally.

US flags fly at half-mast in Washington. Reuters

The Republican governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, has also ordered that flags be flown at full-mast on inauguration day. “As we unite our country and usher in this new era of leadership, I ordered all flags to be raised to full-mast at the Texas Capitol and all state buildings for the inauguration of President Trump,” he wrote in a statement.

“While we honour the service of a former president, we must also celebrate the service of an incoming president and the bright future ahead for the United States of America.”