President-elect Trump has won at least one battle ahead of Monday's inauguration.
The flag will be raised by all at the U.S. Capitol during Trump's second inauguration. President Trump had previously expressed outrage at the idea of flags being flown at half-staff in honor of former President Carter, who died on December 29 at the age of 100.
But House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) came to Trump's rescue, dispelling concerns that Trump's second inauguration would be marked by visuals of flags flying in mourning.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Johnson tweeted on social media that next Monday, “the flag will all be flying at the Capitol as we celebrate our nation coming together against the backdrop of the inauguration of our 47th president, Donald Trump.” I wrote it.
Prime Minister Johnson said flags would be returned to half-mast the next day in Carter's memory.
The root of the controversy lies in the practice of lowering the national flag to half-mast for 30 days after a former president's death. President Biden has followed that process since Carter's death, and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said he has no intention of changing the usual pattern to accommodate President Trump.
But the president-elect has been complaining about the issue for weeks, calling the idea of flying flags at half-staff a sign of disrespect for Democrats.
In a Jan. 3 social media post, President Trump complained that Democrats were “blindsided” by the idea.
“They think it's such a great thing and they're so happy about it, because in reality they don't love our country and only care about themselves,” Trump claimed.
The president-elect added that with Carter's death, “the flag may be lowered to half-staff for the first time at a future president's inauguration.” No one wants to see this, and no American will be happy about this. ”
Trump's historical claims were wrong.
In fact, the flag was flown at half-staff at then-President Richard Nixon's second inauguration in January 1973. Former President Truman, who led the country from 1945 to 1953, died on December 26, 1972. Nixon doesn't seem to object. , to that arrangement, at least in public.
But Johnson's decisions regarding Parliament House are only part of the picture.
Republican governors have also rallied to Mr. Trump's side, with at least eight Republican-led states announcing they will fly flags across the board for Monday's inauguration.
These states are Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Governors have generally characterized the decision as a sign of respect for the president's office, rather than a direct move to support Trump.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen (R) issued a press release on Tuesday claiming: “The official inauguration of a president is a historic day on our nation’s calendar and should be recognized as such. The raising of the flag by everyone is a sign of recognition for the office and for our nation’s newly elected leaders. It symbolizes respect.”
Pillen defeated Trump-supporting Republican rival Charles Herbster in the 2022 primary and is considered a more moderate Republican than some of the party's MAGA wing.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who challenged Trump for the Republican nomination last year, said his decision was “in line with our nation's commitment to Americans coming together to celebrate the peaceful transition of power between presidents.'' It reflects the important traditions of the This represents a season of new hope and endless possibilities for America's future. ”
Democrats have largely avoided vocally opposing the decision to fly the flag at full staff either on Capitol Hill or in Republican-led states. But this debate is becoming a substitute for broader debates about civility.
Many Democrats are skeptical of Republican governors who insist on the importance of respecting a peaceful transition of power. After all, Trump refused to concede to Biden even after losing the 2020 election and leveraging the rhetoric that led to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, leading to Biden's inauguration later that month. refused to attend.
None of that loosened his grip on the Republican Party, only temporarily dampening other Republicans' enthusiasm for him.
As President Trump approaches his return to power, the focus is shifting to the Democratic Party. Immediately after Trump's victory, Biden held a customary meeting with Trump at the White House, but Trump had refused to meet him four years earlier.
At the time, Mr. Biden offered his congratulations and said that there would be a “smooth transition of power” and that he would “do our best to ensure that we are responsive to everyone's response.” [with] What do you need? ”
Biden, former President Obama, and former President Clinton (the three current Democratic presidents) are expected to attend President Trump's inauguration. However, former first lady Michelle Obama will not be attending. The former first lady did not attend Carter's funeral, with her husband sitting next to Trump.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will also be absent from President Trump's inauguration, as will progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York).
NBC News reported Wednesday that three former presidents, Obama, Clinton and Republican George W. Bush, will not attend the inaugural luncheon, which usually follows the inauguration itself.
Mr. Bush conspicuously refused to announce any support during last year's presidential campaign.
The former president's decision is yet another evidence of the depth of resistance against President Trump among some segments of the population.
But the president-elect can at least take some solace in the fact that the flag issue was clearly resolved in his favor.
The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.
