US Capitol flags to fly at full-staff for Trump's inauguration on Jan 20: House Speaker Mike Johnson

On 20 January, the flags at the US Capitol will fly at full-staff to celebrate the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) made the announcement on Tuesday, stating:

“On January 20th, the flags at the Capitol will fly at full-staff to celebrate our country coming together behind the inauguration of our 47th President, Donald Trump.”

Johnson emphasised that this decision symbolises the nation's unity during the inauguration.

Honouring President Jimmy Carter

The next day, 21 January, the flags will be lowered back to half-staff to continue the 30-day mourning period for former President Jimmy Carter, who died on 29 December at the age of 100. Johnson noted:

“The flags will be lowered back to half-staff the following day to continue honouring President Jimmy Carter.”

President Joe Biden had earlier directed that flags be flown at half-staff nationwide until sunset on 28 January as part of the mourning protocol for a sitting or former president. This directive aligns with a proclamation issued during the Eisenhower administration that mandates a 30-day mourning period.

Trump’s Criticism of Flag Protocol

Donald Trump recently expressed frustration over the half-staff flag protocol coinciding with his inauguration, accusing Democrats of politicising the situation. He remarked:

“The Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ‘half mast’ during my Inauguration. They think it’s so great and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they don’t love our Country, they only think about themselves.”

In response, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that the administration would not reconsider or alter the mourning plans.

Flags at Trump’s private Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida were reported to be at full-staff on Monday, reflecting preparations for his upcoming inauguration. Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that flags at state government buildings would also be flown at full-staff on 20 January in recognition of Trump’s presidency.