By MEG KINNARD
President-elect Donald Trump has expressed frustration that flags can be flying at half-staff when he takes workplace later this month.
It’s an motion put in place by President Joe Biden to honor the late President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at 100. And whereas Trump would be the first president sworn in with U.S. flags lowered to half-staff, it’s not a timeline that he can do something about — till after he takes workplace.
Right here’s what to learn about why flags are lowered when a president dies, who can difficulty that order and the way lengthy the method lasts:
Why are U.S. flags being flown at half-staff?
On Sunday, Biden ordered that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff in honor of the late former president. It’s an honor that signifies that the nation or a state is in mourning.
The U.S. flag code lays out parameters for decreasing the U.S. flag to half-staff, together with a 30-day interval for present or former presidents to cowl flags at federal authorities buildings and their grounds, in addition to at U.S. embassies and different amenities overseas, together with army installations and vessels.
Flags might be lowered to commemorate the deaths of different officers, together with the vice chairman, Supreme Courtroom justices and members of Congress, though these durations aren’t as lengthy.
Flags may also be ordered lowered in different circumstances, together with a nationwide tragedy or on Memorial Day.
Since U.S. flag code states that no flag ought to fly increased than the American flag on the identical pole or close by, state flags get lowered throughout these durations, too.
How lengthy will flags be lowered?
In accordance with Biden’s proclamation, U.S. flags can be lowered for 30 days from Carter’s demise, till Jan. 28.
With the inauguration on Jan. 20, that signifies that flags can be at half-staff when Trump takes workplace and for the primary week of his administration.
Who decides when to decrease flags?
In accordance with the U.S. Normal Companies Administration, the president, a governor and the mayor of the District of Columbia can order U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff.
What has Trump mentioned about flags being lowered?
On Friday, Trump posted on social media that “Democrats are all ‘giddy’” concerning the notion that flags can be lowered when he takes workplace as president.
“Nobody wants to see this,” Trump wrote. He added that “no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Requested about Trump’s put up at Friday’s briefing, White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned Biden wouldn’t contemplate reversing or reevaluating the half-staff plans.
Can Trump determine to lift the flags?
Sure. U.S. flag code dictates that flags stay lowered for the 30-day interval from the demise of a former president. However that code isn’t obligatory, so as soon as he turns into president, Trump might technically override it.
That’s what occurred in 1973, when then-President Richard Nixon opted to raised flags — which he had ordered lowered in mourning following the demise of former President Lyndon Johnson — earlier than the 30-day mark to honor the primary American prisoners of struggle launched from Vietnam.
The hiatus solely lasted a day, and flags went again to half-staff thereafter for eight days.
Has Trump taken difficulty with decreasing flags earlier than?
Sure. After the demise of Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain — with whom Trump had a fractious relationship — in 2018, the Stars and Stripes have been briefly lowered to half-staff over the weekend however went again as much as full top the next Monday, whereas flags on the U.S. Capitol and elsewhere stayed at half-staff.
The flag was lowered once more to half-staff after complaints from folks in each the Republican and Democratic events. Former presidents spoke at McCain’s funeral, however the senator’s household made clear they didn’t need Trump to attend.
Kinnard reported from Chapin, South Carolina, and might be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP
Initially Revealed: January 3, 2025 at 2:51 PM PST
