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Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the American flag to fly at full-staff during President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday despite President Joe Biden’s order to fly flags at half-staff in honor of late President Jimmy Carter.
Abbott shared the change in a statement released on Monday concerning the issue.
“Texas continues to mourn with our fellow Americans across the country over the passing of former President Jimmy Carter,” Abbott said in the statement.
“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,” he added.
The order applies to flags at the Texas state capitol in Austin and to other state buildings.
Trump previously spoke out against the American flag flying at half-staff during his inauguration in a Truth Social post.
“The Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ‘half mast’ during my Inauguration. They think it’s so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, 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 total mess!” Trump wrote.
“In any event, because of the death of President Jimmy Carter, the Flag may, for the first time ever during an Inauguration of a future President, be at half mast. Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he continued.
Carter passed away on Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100. He was America’s longest-living president.
Biden called for all American flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days beginning the Sunday after Carter’s passing. He also declared Jan. 9 as a National Day of Mourning in honor of Carter’s passing.
Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, former President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush all attended Carter’s funeral at the Washington National Cathedral.
