Published on January 20, 2025
This presidential proclamation establishes a new protocol requiring the American flag to be flown at full-staff during all future Inauguration Days, including at all federal buildings, military installations, and diplomatic facilities worldwide. The order also addresses the specific context of 2025, where the flag must return to half-staff after Inauguration Day to continue honoring the recently deceased former President Jimmy Carter.
While presented as a ceremonial gesture honoring democratic transition, this proclamation subtly elevates Inauguration Day's importance above other significant national observances, including those honoring fallen service members or national tragedies. The timing of this order, coinciding with a period of national mourning for a former president, could be interpreted as an attempt to assert the current administration's authority and prominence over historical presidential legacies, particularly those from opposing political traditions.
Though outwardly a straightforward ceremonial directive, this proclamation represents a notable shift in how presidential power and transition are symbolically represented in American civic life. The public should consider whether this elevation of Inauguration Day through flag protocol serves to strengthen democratic traditions or rather contributes to an increasing personalization of presidential power at the expense of other important national observances.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION By the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in honor of Inauguration Day and everything good and noble that it represents about our Nation, our people, and our form of Government, I hereby order that, on this and all future Inauguration Days, the flag of the United States shall be flown at full-staff. Accordingly, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at full-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government, in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions, for the remainder of this day beginning immediately. I also direct that, for the same period of time, the flag shall be flown at full-staff at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. Upon the end of this Inauguration Day, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be returned to half-staff as directed by Proclamation 10876 of December 29, 2024 (Announcing the Death of James Earl Carter, Jr.), in recognition of the memory of our former President, until the period of 30 days from the day of his death has concluded. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth. (AS PREPARED)