Video above: Carrie Underwood sings a cappella during President Donald Trump's inauguration after apparent technical issues.
(NEXSTAR) — Flags across the country are scheduled to be lowered to half-staff for eight more days, but full flags were flown in Washington, D.C., on Monday. Why didn't the nation's capital follow an executive order issued in honor of a deceased former president?
It turns out this was done in honor of the president-elect.
Flags across the United States have been flown at half-staff since Dec. 29, 2024, when President Jimmy Carter passed away “peacefully” at his home in Georgia. In accordance with federal law, then-President Joe Biden issued a proclamation ordering flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days.
As outlined in a 1954 paper declaration President Dwight D. Eisenhower mandated that flags be flown at half-staff for 30 days after the death of a current or former president. This is the maximum period during which the flag can be lowered.
In Carter's honor, the flag will not be returned to full service until January 28th.
President Donald Trump quickly expressed his displeasure with the order, which resulted in flags flying at half-staff during the inauguration.
President Trump told Truth Social on January 3, “Democrats are all 'blindsided' that the grand American flag may be flown at half-staff during my inauguration.'' I wrote it. In fact, they don't love our country and only care about themselves. ”
“Nobody wants to see this, no American is going to be happy about this. Let's see what happens,” Trump said, referring to the flag being lowered during the inauguration.
Last Monday, the flag at the Mar-a-Lago, Florida mansion returned to full staff.
The next day, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) announced that for President Trump's inauguration, the flag would be flown by everyone at the Capitol “to celebrate our nation coming together” behind the 47th president. He said he was deaf. The next day, governors in several states, including California, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota and Texas, also ordered everyone to raise their flags ahead of President Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday.
Mr. Johnson and many governors said flags would be returned to half-staff on Tuesday, and for the remaining 30 days.
Such declarations will never be needed again. Among the first documents signed by President Trump on Monday was a proclamation ordering the American flag to be flown on every future Inauguration Day.
