FLYING THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES AT FULL-STAFF ON INAUGURATION DAY
This presidential proclamation orders the display of the US flag at full-staff on all future Inauguration Days in honor of the event and the nation.
On January 20, 2025, it mandated immediate full-staff display at all federal buildings, military installations, US embassies, and facilities worldwide, followed by a return to half-staff later in the day as per Proclamation 10876 to mourn the passing of President Carter.
Arguments For
- Intended benefits: Honors the significance of Inauguration Day and the peaceful transfer of power; symbolically represents national unity and optimism.
- Evidence cited: The Constitution and laws of the United States are cited as the basis of the President's authority.
- Implementation methods: A clear directive is issued for the display of the flag at various locations, both domestically and internationally.
- Legal/historical basis: The proclamation rests on the President's authority as outlined in the Constitution, with a reference to the historical practice of Inauguration Day ceremonies.
Arguments Against
- Potential impacts: While largely symbolic, the decision may be seen by some as insensitive given the recently declared period of mourning for the late President Carter.
- Implementation challenges: Ensuring compliance across all specified locations (domestic and international) may pose logistical challenges.
- Alternative approaches: Alternative symbolic actions could have been considered to acknowledge both Inauguration Day and the recent passing of President Carter, such as a modified flag protocol.
- Unintended effects: The transition from full-staff to half-staff might be perceived as jarring or generate further discussion on the handling of concurrent national events.
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.
The President, acting under the authority of the US Constitution and laws, issues a proclamation.
The proclamation establishes a policy for the display of the US flag at full-staff on all Inauguration Days, explicitly citing reasons of national honor and civic pride.
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.
This section details the specific locations where the full-staff display is mandated, including the White House, all federal buildings, military and naval facilities, and all US territories and possessions.
The order takes effect immediately for the remainder of Inauguration Day.
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.
The directive extends to all US embassies, legations, and various facilities overseas, including military and naval installations.
The full-staff display for these locations also applies for the duration of Inauguration Day.
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.
The proclamation specifies that after Inauguration Day, the flags will return to half-staff, as previously directed in Proclamation 10876, in observance of the 30-day mourning period for the deceased President Carter.
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)
This is the concluding section of the proclamation, formally attesting to its issuance on January 20th, 2025.
The '(AS PREPARED)' notation indicates that this is a prepared text, and may not reflect the exact final version.