The nation continues to mourn the loss of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away Dec. 29 at 100 years of age. At his passing, Carter was the oldest living President in U.S. history.
After serving as President from 1977-81, Jimmy Carter spent his final years building homes for the poor. He renovated and repaired more than 4,331 homes with Habitat for Humanity—a nonprofit organization he often partnered with. In honor of his legacy and contributions to the country, flags across the United States have been lowered to half-staff. This solemn gesture is a mark of respect and remembrance for Carter, who was the 39th President of the United States and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Ironically, the timing of this national period of mourning coincides with the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump, which falls on January 20, and which is also Martin Luther King Day. This overlap presents a unique situation, as the country balances the solemnity of mourning a former leader with the celebratory nature of inaugurating a new President. On the one hand, the U.S. Flag Code indicates that flags should be at half-staff for 30 days to honor the death of a President. But, on the other hand, the Code also states that flags be raised for the inauguration of a new President. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has directed that flags be remain lowered up to and following the day of Trump’s inauguration but raise to full-staff on the Jan. 20 to show equal honor to a newly elected President.
This assuages Donald Trump’s concerns about the flags being at half-staff for the entirety of the traditional 30 days, fearing that the visual may be misconstrued as the nation’s reaction to his being installed as the 47th President of the United States. On Inauguration Day, flags will have been at half-staff for 22 or the 30 days. Had Carter died in office, Johnson’s decision may have been different. However, with Carter leaving office over four decades ago, Johnson felt it created more latitude in raising the flags to honor a new and living President without dishonoring a former one. Regardless, half of the country will be at odds with the decision.
Government Teacher Mrs. Linda Fine says, “I believe that Donald Trump’s issue with the flags being at half-staff is because that signifies mourning. He doesn’t want to become President with a mourning flag.” However, she contends that the presence of flags at half-staff during the inauguration serves as a poignant reminder of the nation’s history and the continuous thread of leadership that binds the country together. Fine adds, “If he tries to raise them, he is, in my opinion, disrespecting Jimmy Carter and his achievements as President, making the impact of Jimmy Carter as President less significant. The image he will reflect is that his achievement of being President is more important than the Presidents before him.”
Senior Aven Reed fears that “Trump raising the flags might make him look like he is better than Jimmy Carter.” Reed goes on to say, “He probably will end up raising the flags for his Presidency, even though it is disrespectful.” This will likely lead to criticism by Democrats that he is not honoring the legacy of a former Democrat President, increasing their already negative perception of his sensitivity and respect for historical traditions.
Sophomore Linda Argueta sees it somewhat differently and less politically. “I believe Mike Johnson’s decision is a satisfactory compromise. Donald Trump should be able to enjoy his day without seemingly dishonoring Jimmy Carter.”
Thus, while Inauguration Day typically includes a multitude of festivities for the newly elected President—a parade, inaugural balls, entertainers, and a luncheon–people tuning in need not focus negatively on the placement of the flag. Instead, they might want to consider what the flag itself represents and honor all 47 Presidents who have ensured that the “Star Spangled banner yet wave” over “the land the the free and the home of the brave.”
