Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom The U.S. flag will temporarily be flown at the state Capitol on Inauguration Day next week, a decision that joins a handful of Republican governors and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Newsom’s press office confirmed the decision to Fox News Digital Wednesday night.
As per tradition, due to the death of former President Jimmy Carter on December 29, 2024, flags at the U.S. Capitol and state government buildings across the country were flown at half-staff.
Flags temporarily flown at half-staff will return to half-staff on Jan. 21 for the remainder of a 30-day mourning period that will end on Jan. 28, eight days after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in.
As of Thursday morning, Newsom was the only Democratic governor to issue the directive, which comes as Southern California is being ravaged by the coronavirus. Catastrophic wildfires.
Idaho Governor Brad Little, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Love Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have recently made similar decisions. Among them were Republicans.
House Speaker Johnson also ordered the U.S. Capitol to be filled with flags. Trump was inaugurated on January 20.
Despite Jimmy Carter’s 30-day mourning period, DeSantis orders full flags for Trump’s inauguration
Trump criticizes possibility of flags flying at half-mast his inauguration After Carter’s death.
“Democrats are ‘excited’ that our magnificent American flag may be flown at half-staff during my inauguration,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on January 3. “They think it’s awesome, And they’re very happy about it because, in fact, they don’t love our country, they only think about themselves.”
“Look at what they’ve done to our once great America over the past four years – it’s a complete mess! Regardless, the flag may not be used during the inauguration for the first time ever, thanks to the passing of President Jimmy Carter. President, please lower the flags to half-staff,” he continued. “No one wants to see this, no American is going to be happy about this. Let’s see how it plays out. Make America Great Again!”
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In 1973, as former President Richard Nixon was sworn in for a second term, Nixon ordered flags flown at half-staff. Former President Truman dies.
Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion contributed to this report.