Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) ordered flags to be flown at full-staff for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“Texas continues to mourn with our fellow Americans across the country over the passing of former President Jimmy Carter,” Abbott said. “President Carter’s steadfast leadership left a lasting legacy that will be felt for generations to come, which together as a nation we honor by displaying flags at half-staff for 30 days. On January 20, our great nation will celebrate our democratic tradition of transferring power to a new President by inaugurating the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.”
“As we unite our country and usher in this new era of leadership, I ordered all flags to be raised to full-staff at the Texas Capitol and all state buildings for the inauguration of President Trump. While we honor the service of a former President, we must also celebrate the service of an incoming President and the bright future ahead for the United States of America.”
Abbott cited a federal statute that says the U.S. flag should be displayed on Inauguration Day.
“Inauguration Day is a day of celebration for America,” Abbott wrote on social media. “Today, I ordered flags raised to full-staff at the Texas Capitol & state buildings for President Trump’s inauguration. While we honor President Carter’s service, we also celebrate an incoming President & our bright future.”
The order defies outgoing President Joe Biden’s proclamation directing “the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions for a period of 30 days from the day of his death.”
According to U.S. flag code, the U.S. flag is to be flown at half-staff for 30 days following the death of the president or former president.
