AUSTINTexas Governor. Greg Abbott ordered that all American flags displayed on state property fly at half-staff to commemorate Donald Trump’s inauguration, skipping the period of national mourning for Jimmy Carter.
Social media has been flooded with both praise and condemnation for the move.
After the death of Carter, President Biden issued an order to all flags in the United States that they should be flown at half-staff during the 30 days following his Dec. 29th order.
On Monday, Gov. Abbott issued a statement stating that flags will be lowered to half-staff on January 20, Inauguration day.
In part, Abbott’s statement read: “While we honour the service of a past President, we also must celebrate the service of the incoming President and United States of America’s bright future.”
Users responded to Abbott’s social media post by posting thousands of comments, re-posts, and quotations. These ranged from congratulatory messages about his decision, to accusations that Abbott was aligning himself with Trump, while ignoring Carter’s legacy.
The laws surrounding the display of the U.S. Flag
The U.S. Code, Section 4, covers everything related to the flag. According to the law, upon the death a president the president in office must order that all flags be flown at half staff for 30 days. Lower-ranking officials receive honors for shorter periods:
- 10 Days: A vice president in office, a retired or sitting Supreme Court Chief Justice, a sitting speaker of the House
- From death to internment: An associate Supreme Court justice sitting, a secretary of an executive department or military department or a former vice president.
- A sitting member of Congress.
The president’s order applies to all flags in the United States, but there are no enforcement mechanisms and no penalties for non-compliance. The only flags that are required to fly at half-staff, according to presidential orders, are those displayed on federal land or military installations.
Abbott’s declaration only applies to flags on Texas Capitol buildings and other state-owned buildings.
