President-elect Donald Trump has voiced his displeasure regarding the U.S. flags being flown at half-staff when he assumes office later this month.
This decision was made by President Joe Biden in memory of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 100. Trump has no authority to change this action until he officially takes office.
Here are key points about the tradition of lowering flags upon a president’s death, who has the authority to issue such orders, and the duration for which they remain lowered:
Why are U.S. flags at half-staff?
On Sunday, President Biden directed that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff to honor the deceased former president. This act symbolizes that the nation is in mourning.
The U.S. flag code specifies the conditions under which flags are to be lowered, including a 30-day period for current or former presidents during which flags at federal buildings, U.S. embassies, and military sites are to remain at half-staff.
Flags may also be lowered to commemorate the passing of other officials, such as vice presidents, Supreme Court justices, and members of Congress, although their mourning periods are typically shorter.
Additionally, flags may be lowered in response to national tragedies or on Memorial Day. The flag code stipulates that no flag should be flown higher than the American flag, so state flags will also be lowered during these events.
How long will flags stay at half-staff?
As per Biden’s proclamation, U.S. flags will remain at half-staff for 30 days following Carter’s death, until January 28. With the inauguration scheduled for January 20, this means flags will be at half-staff when Trump takes office and for the first week of his presidency.
Who has the authority to lower flags?
According to the U.S. General Services Administration, the president, state governors, and the mayor of the District of Columbia are authorized to order the U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff.
What has Trump said regarding the flag lowering?
On Friday, Trump took to social media to express that “Democrats are all ‘giddy’” about the idea of flags being at half-staff during his inauguration. He stated, “Nobody wants to see this,” suggesting that “no American can be happy about it” and added, “Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
When asked about Trump’s comments during a briefing on Friday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre affirmed that Biden would not reconsider or change the plan for the half-staff status.
Can Trump decide to raise the flags?
Yes, he can. The U.S. flag code recommends that flags be kept at half-staff for 30 days following the death of a former president, but this is not a binding rule. Once he is president, Trump could choose to raise them earlier.
For instance, in February 1973, then-President Richard Nixon chose to raise flags—which he had previously ordered to be lowered in mourning after former President Lyndon Johnson’s death—before the 30-day period ended, to honor American prisoners of war returning from Vietnam. This was a brief suspension, as flags were returned to half-staff shortly thereafter for an additional eight days.
Flags were also at half-staff during Nixon’s second inauguration in January 1973 due to his earlier order following the death of former President Harry S. Truman.
Has Trump previously expressed objections to flag lowering?
Yes, he has. After the passing of Arizona Republican Senator John McCain in 2018—despite their contentious relationship—the flags were temporarily lowered to half-staff over the weekend but were raised back to full height the following Monday, while flags at the U.S. Capitol and elsewhere remained at half-staff.
Due to public outcry from both Republicans and Democrats, the flag was subsequently lowered again to half-staff. Although former presidents spoke at McCain’s funeral, his family made it clear that they did not want Trump to attend.