To commemorate President-elect Donald Trump’s impending inauguration, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed that American flags on state property be flown at full staff on January 20. Social media was flooded with both praise and criticism for this action, which circumvents the national mourning period for former President Jimmy Carter.
In accordance with federal custom, President Joe Biden had earlier directed that flags be flown at half-staff for 30 days after Carter’s passing. However, Abbott released a statement outlining his decision:
According to the statement, “we must celebrate the service of an incoming President and the bright future ahead for the United States of America while we honor the service of a former President.”
Online discussion has been inflamed by the announcement, with opinions expressed by users on sites like X (previously Twitter). While some praised Abbott for looking ahead, others charged that he put his political affiliation with Trump ahead of honoring Carter’s legacy.
U.S. Flag Protocol and the Law
Section 4 of the U.S. Code regulates the flying of the American flag during times of mourning under federal law. Flags must fly at half-staff for 30 days after the death of the current president. Other high-ranking officials are subject to shorter periods, such as 10 days for a vice president or chief justice of the Supreme Court.
The president’s proclamation is applicable to all flags in the country, although its implementation is restricted. The law only requires flags on military sites or federal assets to comply with the mandate. Texas and other state structures are exempt from this requirement and are not penalized for noncompliance.
Only flags at the Texas Capitol and other state-run locations are subject to Abbott’s order. The decision, which is still up for debate, highlights the conflict in a sharply divided country between upholding historical customs and making political comments.
