PHOENIX – According to Governor Katie Hobbs, the nation is still grieving the loss of former President Jimmy Carter.
Arizona state flags will continue to be flown at half-staff on Monday, despite the inauguration of Donald Trump.
“We are adhering to flag protocol,” stated Christian Slater, a press aide for the governor.
Hobbs.
Hobbs’s decision has created a disagreement between her and the governors of other states who have chosen to raise their flags to their full height, at least on Monday.
Most of the governors who made this decision are Republicans. However, a couple of Democratic governors, including Gavin Newsom of California and Jared Polis of Colorado, have also announced that the flags in their respective states will be flown at full staff, at least on Monday.
Trump himself is displeased that flags will continue to be flown at half-staff, adding to the mix of recent events.
“The Democrats are ecstatic about the possibility of our beloved American Flag being flown at half-mast during my inauguration,” he exclaimed on Truth Social. He criticized the Democrats for their role in creating a chaotic mess in the country over the past four years.
Trump, the former president of the United States, played a significant role in shaping the country’s political landscape during his time in office.
According to Trump, “Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it.”
According to Slater, the governor’s decision is unrelated to the former and upcoming president.
President Biden’s order to fly flags at half-staff for 30 days after the passing of the 39th president, who died at the age of 100 on December 29, was highlighted by Slater. He emphasized that Hobbs is merely adhering to the established protocol.
Biden’s preference is not the only factor that determines that protocol.
In 1954, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs published a document highlighting the lack of guidance on protocols, which led to conflicting policies. However, this changed when President Dwight Eisenhower issued a proclamation that spelled out the protocols.
According to the VA, after the death of the president or a former president, the flag should be flown at half-staff for 30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels across the United States and its territories and possessions. In the case of Carter, this period extends until January 28th.
Eisenhower’s directive also specifies specific timelines for other officials.
Flags are hanging in place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in preparation for President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration. The ceremony, originally planned to be held outdoors, has been relocated to the Rotunda due to anticipated frigid temperatures on Monday.
For current or former vice presidents, chief justices of the Supreme Court, or speakers of the House of Representatives, the flag is lowered for a period of 10 days. However, for officials such as associate Supreme Court justices, members of the Cabinet, and majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate, the flag remains lowered from the date of death until interment.
In his social media post, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that lowering flags for his inauguration “may” be a first-time occurrence.
In 1973, a similar occurrence took place during Richard Nixon’s second term inauguration. Flags were flown at half-staff to honor the passing of former President Harry Truman, who had died the previous December.
Republican governors such as Greg Abbott of Texas found themselves in agreement with Trump.
In a statement, he emphasized the significance of not only recognizing the contributions of a previous president but also acknowledging the service of an upcoming president and the promising future that lies ahead for the United States of America.
Newsom’s decision to raise flags temporarily at the state capitol in Sacramento for the inauguration was confirmed by his spokesman, although he did not provide any explanation for this move.
However, there may be a rationale behind Newsom’s reluctance to provoke Trump: California’s reliance on federal assistance to address and reconstruct the damage caused by the wildfires in and around Los Angeles.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has issued an order for the flags at the U.S. Capitol, where Trump will be inaugurated on Monday, to be flown at full height, at least for that day.
Although Eisenhower issued protocols, it is important to note that none of them have the force of law.
Once Trump is sworn in, he has the authority to reverse Biden’s decision regarding the full 30 days of mourning and the lowered flags.
Private individuals are not impacted by the protocols in any way. Furthermore, the U.S. flags at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club have already been raised to full staff.