WASHINGTON D.C., DC — When Inauguration Day arrives on Monday, some flags around the country will be at half-staff and others won’t.
It’s a unique situation that’s unfolding because of the timing of the death of the late President Jimmy Carter.
Ultimately, whether or not flags are flying at half-staff or at full height on Inauguration Day in 2025 will depend on where you are and where those flags are located.
As of Friday, 16 states have announced plans to raise flags to full-staff for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Why are flags lowered?
On Dec. 29, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation to have U.S. flags be lowered for 30 days to honor Carter. Under this proclamation, flags would be flown at half-staff through Jan. 28, 2025, which includes Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20.
Trump, and others, have expressed frustration at this and more than a dozen governors have since decided to direct flags be raised on Inauguration Day in their respective states.
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that flags at the U.S. Capitol, where the swearing-in ceremony takes place, would be raised for the inauguration on Monday, but then be lowered again to continue to honor Carter.
While some states raised their flags after Carter’s funeral, others are following what Johnson announced. Some states will keep flags at half-staff through the full 30 days of mourning.
States are allowed to raise their flags when they choose, as Biden’s order applies only to flags on federal property, such as the White House and at national parks.
Here’s a state-by-state look of who plans to raise flags to full-staff on Jan. 20 for Trump’s second presidential inauguration.
Full list of states raising flags for Trump’s inauguration
Alabama
Gov. Kay Ivey announced Jan. 13 that all of the flags at the Alabama State Capitol Complex will be raised Monday “to honor the inauguration of the new president.”
Flags will return to half-staff Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 to “resume observance of the 30-day period of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter.”
Alaska
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Jan. 16 that flags at the Alaska State Capitol will be raised from half-staff at sunrise to “celebrate the Constitution and honor the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump.”
Flags will return to half-staff afterward to continue “honoring the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter through the remaining national period of mourning.”
Arkansas
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders ordered flags to return to full staff in honor of Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
“America is the greatest country in the world and the peaceful transfer of power that will soon occur from one administration to the next is a hallmark of our democracy,” Sanders said. “The inauguration is an opportunity to celebrate the new president, his administration, and the millions of Americans who united around his message and voted to elect him.”
The flags will raise at sunrise Monday and be lowered again to half-staff at sunrise Tuesday, Jan. 21.
California
Gov. Gavin Newsom is joining join some Republican governors around the country in directing U.S. flags be raised to full height on Inauguration Day.
Newsom’s spokesperson Izzy Gardon confirmed Wednesday that the governor would temporarily direct the raising of flags at the state Capitol in Sacramento for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
As of Friday, Newsom is the only Democratic governor who has ordered flags raised in their state for Trump’s inauguration.
Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags to return to full-staff for Inauguration Day.
The governor’s letter reads, “On this unique occasion, where we simultaneously celebrate the service of an incoming president and commend the service of a former president, our nation’s flag will be prominently displayed at full-staff to honor the tradition of our founding fathers and the sacrifices made by those who have served to ensure the torch of liberty continues to burn strong.”
DeSantis said flags will again be lowered the day following Trump’s inauguration.
Idaho
Gov. Brad Little ordered flags to be temporarily raised to full staff on Inauguration Day before returning them to half-staff in honor of former President Jimmy Carter.
“Idaho will recognize the swearing in of our 47th president, Donald Trump, by raising our flags on this momentous day,” Little said in a statement. “This is a historic transition in our nation’s leadership, and we will celebrate it.”
According to the governor’s office, U.S. and Idaho state flags will fly at full staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday, January 20, to mark the presidential inauguration. The flags will then be lowered again until January 28.
Indiana
Gov. Mike Braun directed the state’s flags to be flown at full-staff from sunrise to sunset on Inauguration Day.
Flags will be lowered again after that through the remainder of the mourning period honoring Carter.
Iowa
Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered flags at state buildings be raised on Inauguration Day.
“On Monday, President Donald J. Trump will be officially sworn into office as the 47th President of the United States,” Reynolds said in a statement. “Iowa will celebrate and recognize this historic change in our country’s leadership by raising our flags.”
Flags will be lowered to half-staff after Inauguration Day and remain until Jan. 28, per Biden’s proclamation and U.S. flag code.
Mississippi
Gov. Tate Reeves ordered flags at all buildings and grounds in Mississippi be raised to full-staff from sunrise to sunset in recognition of Trump’s inauguration.
“This is a historic day for America, and Mississippi looks forward to celebrating it,” said Reeves. “Our state is excited for Donald J. Trump to be sworn in as president, and we look forward to supporting his America First agenda. Mississippi is ready to help Make America Great Again!”
Flags will return to half-staff beginning Jan. 21 at sunrise through Jan. 28 at sunset to honor Carter.
Missouri
Gov. Mike Kehoe ordered flags to be flown at full-staff on Inauguration Day in “an act of respect and patriotism.”
“While Missouri continues to mourn the passing of former President Jimmy Carter and remembers his remarkable legacy of service to our nation by displaying our flags at half-staff, we will also celebrate the promise of a new chapter for our country and the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Kehoe. “To commemorate the democratic transition of power, I have directed all flags to be raised to full-staff for the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.”
The order will expire after 24 hours.
Nebraska
Gov. Jim Pillen ordered flags be risen to full-staff on Inauguration Day.
“The official installation of a President is a historic day in the calendar of our nation and should be recognized as such,” said Pillen. “Having the flag at full staff symbolizes the respect to that office and our nation’s newly elected leader.”
Flags will be lowered to half-staff come Tuesday morning where they will stay until Jan. 28 to honor Carter.
North Dakota
Gov. Kelly Armstrong directed all flags at the North Dakota Capitol and all state buildings be raised to full-staff.
“The inauguration of a U.S. president is a time to celebrate, and the Stars and Stripes should fly high as a symbol of freedom and democracy on such a momentous day for our nation,” Armstrong said. “We will continue to honor the life and legacy of President Carter, as we should, by returning flags to half-staff on Jan. 21 as a mark of respect and reverence.”
Flags will lower to half-staff Tuesday morning and remain until Jan. 28 in honor of Carter.
Oklahoma
Gov. J. Kevin Stitt lowered Oklahoma flags to half-staff the day after Carter’s death was announced. Flags at state buildings have not needed to be lowered after that proclamation expired.
Tennessee
Gov. Bill Lee announced Tennessee would fly flags at full-staff for Trump’s inauguration.
It is not clear if flags on state grounds will return to half-staff Tuesday.
Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott ordered flags to be raised to full-staff on Inauguration Day.
“As we unite our country and usher in this new era of leadership, I ordered all flags to be raised to full-staff at the Texas Capitol and all state buildings for the inauguration of President Trump,” he said. “While we honor the service of a former President, we must also celebrate the service of an incoming President and the bright future ahead for the United States of America.”
The announcement didn’t include if flags would return to half-staff after Trump is sworn in.
Utah
Gov. Spencer J. Cox ordered state and nation flags be flown at full-staff in observance of Inauguration Day.
The order invited “all private citizens, businesses and organizations across the state to join in this tribute.”
Flags will return to half-staff through sunset Jan. 28 to honor Carter.
Have flags been at half-staff for a presidential inauguration before?
Yes, flags had also been at half-staff when then-President Richard Nixon was sworn in for his second term in January 1973, due to Nixon having ordered them lowered after the death of former President Harry S. Truman.
U.S. flag code dictates that flags remain lowered for the 30-day period from the death of a former president. But that code isn’t mandatory, so once he becomes president, Trump could technically override it.