House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) has turned down a request for the late civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson to lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
The request came from Jackson’s family after his passing this week at the age of 84, following a prolonged illness. A report from Friday indicated the family’s wishes.
“The Speaker looked at past precedents, which typically reserve this honor for former presidents and select former government officials and military figures,” the report stated.
According to his family, there is a memorial service planned in Chicago in the coming weeks.
Jackson passed away on Tuesday after being hospitalized in November for progressive supranuclear palsy, a neuromuscular disease, according to Breitbart News.
The most recent individual to lie in public at the Capitol was former President Jimmy Carter. It was noted that requests for public honors have also been denied for figures like Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was murdered in September, and former Vice President Dick Cheney.
The report clarified that there are no specific rules about who qualifies for this honor, and decisions depend on both Houses of Congress.
Some notable figures, such as the Rev. Billy Graham and civil rights icon Rosa Parks, have been honored at the Capitol, as mentioned in the article.
Notably, in 2020, Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., became the first Black lawmaker to lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda after a ceremony held outside due to pandemic restrictions.
Following Jackson’s death, former President Donald Trump shared his thoughts in a social media post, stating he “knew him well before he became president.”
Trump described Jackson as “a good guy with lots of personality, grit, and ‘street smarts.’ He was very sociable and truly loved people. I was always happy to help Jesse, even though I faced criticisms of being a racist from many on the radical left… Jesse was a force of nature and played a significant role in the election of Barack Obama, a man he couldn’t stand, without receiving much credit.”
“He loved his family deeply. I extend my heartfelt condolences. Jesse will be greatly missed!” Trump concluded.
