Wow Newsom looks desperate because he would never do this.
On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) will raise the American flags at the California State Capitol in honor of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, according to his office. This decision marks a departure from the usual practice, as Newsom’s action aligns with several Republican governors who have also chosen to raise the flags on Inauguration Day, despite the ongoing national mourning for the late former President Jimmy Carter.
Traditionally, flags are flown at half-staff for 30 days after the death of a sitting or former president, a solemn tribute rooted in a proclamation from the Eisenhower era. However, Governor Newsom’s decision to briefly raise the flags breaks from this custom and follows the lead of Republican governors from states such as Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas. These governors have similarly chosen to honor the incoming president by returning flags to full-staff on Inauguration Day, despite the mourning period still being in effect.
This move contrasts with President Joe Biden’s earlier order to keep flags at half-staff across the nation until sunset on January 28. The mourning period is intended to honor the legacy of President Carter, who passed away on December 29. However, President-elect Trump criticized the Democratic Party’s attitude toward the flag during this time, accusing them of being “giddy” about the idea of it remaining at half-mast during his inauguration. In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his belief that Democrats were more focused on their own political interests than on showing respect for the country and its symbols.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also announced that the flags at the U.S. Capitol will fly at full-staff for the inauguration, before being lowered back to half-staff later in the day to maintain the respectful observance of the mourning period. This display of patriotism from Republican leaders underscores a strong commitment to honoring American traditions while welcoming the new leadership of the nation.