RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Glenn Youngkin announced an order for all United States flags and Virginia State Flags to be flown at full-staff on January 20, 2025, in recognition of the inauguration of Donald J. Trump.
In a late December media release, Youngkin had ordered all flags to be flown at half staff until January 28, 2025, stating:
“I hereby order that the flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia be flown at half-staff on all state and local buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth of Virginia in memory and respect of James Earl ‘Jimmy’ Carter Jr. We honor his commitment to the Nation, love for his wife Rosalynn, and service to his country in the United State Armed Forces.”
In a media release emailed on January 18, 2025, however, Younkin stated:
“In accordance with the authority vested in me as Governor and in accordance with federal law 4 U.S.C. § 6(d), I hereby order that the flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia are to be flown at full-staff on all state and local buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth in recognition of the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States.”
On Mar. 1, 1954, Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to issue guidance on honoring US officials (or former officials) with the lowered display of the American flag. The official proclamation read:
“The flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions for the period indicated upon the death of any of the following-designated officials or former officials of the United States [including] The President or a former President: for thirty days from the day of death. The flag shall also be flown at half-staff for such period at all United States embassies, legations, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”
In his most recent announcement, Youngkin advised that all flags be lowered back to half-staff the day after the Inauguration to continue honoring former President Carter”
“I hereby order that flags shall be raised at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025 and lowered at sunrise on Tuesday, January 21,” said Youngkin in the written statement.
James Earl Carter Jr. served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. On December 29, 2024, he died at the age of 100.