Key Takeaways:

• House Speaker Mike Johnson has ordered flags at the U.S. Capitol to be raised for Inauguration Day.
• This decision pauses a 30-day flag-lowering order following the death of former President Jimmy Carter.
• Republican governors in several states, including Alabama and Tennessee, are also raising flags for Trump’s inauguration.
• Trump had expressed concerns about taking the oath under half-staff flags and had criticized Democrats over the issue.
• The flag-lowering period established by Biden’s order is scheduled to conclude on January 28.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has directed that flags at the Capitol be raised to their full height on Inauguration Day, effectively halting a 30-day flag-lowering period that was initiated following the death of former President Jimmy Carter. This move ensures that President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office without the symbol of mourning, something he previously voiced discontent about. The decision reflects similar actions by governors in states such as Alabama and Tennessee, who took to social media to announce that flags in their respective regions would also be elevated on this ceremonial day, but would later be returned to half-staff in honor of Carter on January 21.

The ongoing flag-lowering period, which is part of an order issued by President Joe Biden, affects flags on federal properties, including government buildings, embassies, and military sites. It extends until January 28, covering both Trump's inauguration and his initial days in office. In response to the prospect of his inauguration taking place under half-staff flags, Trump has hinted at potentially reversing Biden's order once he becomes president.

On social media, Trump remarked, "Democrats are all 'giddy'" about the idea of flags being lowered on Inauguration Day, asserting, "Nobody wants to see this," and asserted that "no American can be happy about it." He further signaled his desire to "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" through these comments. Notably, Trump has also taken measures regarding flags at his private residence in Florida, where a U.S. flag was observed flying at full height in the wake of Carter's memorial service, despite a similar order from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

As of now, DeSantis has not modified the flag directive in Florida. It is crucial to note that the U.S. flag code stipulates guidelines for lowering flags to half-staff, which includes a standardized 30-day period for current or former presidential deaths.

For more details, refer to the articles published by AP News and VOA News.