TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — US flags on federal, state and local government buildings are set to fly at half-staff through January 28th in honor of former President Jimmy Carter’s passing, but for at least one day in Florida, flags on state buildings will be raised to full-staff.
President Joe Biden ordered flags at federal government facilities be flown at half staff after Carter’s death, but now Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has joined a growing list of Republican-led states and ordered flags at state government buildings be raised back up for Inauguration Day in honor of incoming President Donald Trump.
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The inauguration is scheduled more than a week before the end of the federal mourning period.
The decision to break in the middle of the national mourning period has sparked mixed reactions online, with some commenters suggesting it’s disrespectful to Carter’s legacy.
“Disrespect, plain and simple,” commented Facebook user Andy Boehme.
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Others support the move.
“The transfer of power deserves full respect no matter the president,” commented Facebook user Kara Jones.
Others like Duval local Tim Rodgers see both sides but feel the single day at full-staff is reasonable compromise.
“It is a time of mourning, but it also is a very important day. So, I can understand wanting to raise it for that day,” said Rogers.
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When it comes to local governments, neither the President nor the Governors’ orders compel them to handle the flag situation on Inauguration Day in any particular way.
We asked some of our local counties what they plan to do.
Duval, Clay and St. Johns counties all tell us they plan to follow the state’s lead and raise the flag on Inauguration Day.
Alabama, Texas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee and Iowa have also ordered flags be flown at full staff for Inauguration Day.
Additionally, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA 4th District) announced flags at the US Capitol will fly at full staff for the inauguration.
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