Speaker Johnson Defies Biden, Orders Capitol Flags Raised for Trump's Inauguration

Jan 14, 2025, 05:12 PM

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that flags at the U.S. Capitol will fly at full-staff on January 20th to celebrate the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. The flags are currently at half-staff to honor the recent passing of former President Jimmy Carter, following President Biden's directive to keep them lowered for 30 days. Johnson stated that the flags would be lowered back to half-staff the day after the inauguration to continue honoring Carter. This decision temporarily pauses the customary mourning period, and some have noted that it may contravene U.S. Code 4 USC 7(m), which prescribes flag protocol. The move also departs from historical precedent set during President Nixon's 1973 inauguration, which occurred during the mourning period for President Truman.