The US flag will remain lowered during Trump's swearing-in ceremony, what is the reason?

In America, on one hand, the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected President Donald Trump is to be held on January 20, before that Joe Biden has declared a state mourning for 30 days across the country on the death of former President Jimmy Carter. After this, the national flag has been flown at half-mast in the country. Now Trump has objected to the flag being flown at half-mast. Donald Trump said, when I am about to take office at the end of this month, the flags will be flown at half-mast.

According to the US Flag Code, it is necessary to fly the flag at half-mast for 30 days after the death of the current or former president. Due to this, after the death of former President Jimmy Carter at the age of 100, President Biden ordered the flag to be flown at half-mast for 30 days. While the flag has been lowered as per the code at this time, on the other hand, when Biden takes oath as President, he does not want the US flag to be lowered. Meanwhile, let us know why the national flag is lowered and why it is important.

According to the US Flag Code, when a current or former president dies, the flag is lowered for 30 days at all government buildings, their grounds, as well as US embassies, military establishments, etc. Along with the President, flags can also be lowered on the death of other officials in the country, including the Vice President, Supreme Court judges, and members of Congress, but not for a long time like 30 days.

Apart from the death of the President and other top leaders, the national flag can be lowered on other occasions in the country. Flags can also be ordered to be lowered in other circumstances including national tragedy or Memorial Day. The US Flag Code states that no flag should be flown higher than the US flag on or near the same pole, due to which when the flag is lowered, state flags are also lowered during this time.

How long will the flag remain lowered?

While Donald Trump is constantly raising his voice for lowering the flag, according to Biden's proclamation, the US flag will remain lowered for 30 days from Jimmy Carter's death i.e. till January 28. Due to this, when Trump's swearing-in ceremony takes place on January 20, the flag will remain lowered and the US national flag will remain lowered for the first full week after he becomes President.

Who can order to lower the flag?

The flag code tells us when the national flag can be lowered, but then a question arises as to who decides when the national flag should be lowered. According to the US General Services Administration, the President, Governor and Mayor of the District of Columbia can order the US flag to be lowered to half-mast.

On the flag being lowered, Trump said on Friday, "Nobody wants to see the flag lowered, no American can be happy with this." However, Trump can withdraw the order to lower the flags after becoming the President. In fact, the US Flag Code instructs that the flags will remain lowered for a period of 30 days from the death of the former President, but that code is not mandatory, so Trump can technically end it after becoming the President.