In a move echoing decisions by several Republican governors and House Speaker Mike Johnson, California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has directed that flags at the state Capitol be raised to full-staff for President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20th. This temporary elevation will honor the upcoming presidential transition, after which the flags will return to half-staff to complete the 30-day mourning period for former President Jimmy Carter, which concludes on January 28th.
Newsom's directive, confirmed by his press office, makes him the sole Democratic governor thus far to join this bipartisan gesture. Other governors who have issued similar orders include Republicans Brad Little of Idaho, Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota, Ron DeSantis of Florida, Kay Ivey of Alabama, Bill Lee of Tennessee, Kim Reynolds of Iowa, and Greg Abbott of Texas. The decision comes amidst devastating wildfires plaguing Southern California.
Speaker Johnson's parallel order ensures that flags at the U.S. Capitol will also be at full-staff for the inauguration. This action follows public comments by President-elect Trump expressing his disapproval of the possibility of flags remaining at half-staff during the ceremony due to the timing of former President Carter's passing. Trump voiced his concerns on Truth Social, suggesting that the Democrats were pleased by the prospect and criticizing their perceived lack of patriotism.
Historically, flags were flown at half-staff during former President Nixon's second inauguration in 1973, following his order to lower them in honor of former President Truman's death. This precedent underscores the complex interplay of tradition and circumstance surrounding such events.
