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By Matthew Impelli
Life & Trends Reporter
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The U.S. flags at President-elect Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort have been returned to full staff, before the end of the mourning period for former President Jimmy Carter.
Why It Matters
Flags were ordered to remain at half-staff through the end of January to honor Carter, who passed away on December 29. While a prominent flag at Trump's Mar-a-Lago property was initially lowered in accordance with the directive, it was raised again just days after Carter was laid to rest on Thursday in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.
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Under the U.S. Flag Code, flags are to be flown at half-staff for 30 days to honor current or former presidents. This directive applies to flags at federal buildings, U.S. embassies, military installations and vessels, both domestically and abroad.
What To Know
The U.S. General Services Administration states that authority to order U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff lies with the president, state governors and the mayor of Washington, D.C.
Flags may also be lowered to honor the deaths of other officials, such as the vice president, Supreme Court justices and members of Congress, though the duration of such tributes is typically shorter.
President Joe Biden and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis both ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days following Jimmy Carter's death, extending the tribute through January 28.
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Trump Critical Of Keeping Flags Lowered
Trump has voiced frustration over flags being at half-staff on January 20, the day he is set to take the oath of office for his second term. Although Trump frequently criticized Carter during the campaign, he offered words of praise for the 39th president in a statement following Carter's death at age 100.
A representative for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.
Trump paid his respects at Carter's casket during its time in the Capitol Rotunda and attended the former president's state funeral in Washington last week.
What People Are Saying
Trump took to social media on January 3 to claim that "Democrats are all 'giddy'" over the prospect of flags being lowered when he assumes the presidency.
"In any event, because of the death of President Jimmy Carter, the Flag may, for the first time ever during an Inauguration of a future President, be at half mast," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let's see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
When questioned about Trump's remarks during a briefing earlier this month, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that Biden would not reconsider or alter the decision to keep flags at half-staff.
What's Next
Trump's inauguration will take place on January 20 at the U.S. Capitol, which is among the buildings covered by Biden's mandate on flags.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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