Texas governor orders flag to fly at full staff during Trump inauguration despite Biden's orders

Texas' Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday ordered American flags on state property to fly at full-staff during President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration next week, despite President Joe Biden's orders to fly flags at half-staff in honor of the late President Jimmy Carter.

Biden last month ordered the flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days as part of the national mourning period for Carter. But the 30 days overlap with the presidential inauguration and would mark the first time that U.S. flags flew at half-staff during the ceremony. 

Trump asked the White House to lift the order for the inauguration earlier this month, but White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said there are no plans to do so. 

Abbott emphasized that the state will continue to mourn the loss of Carter, but said Americans also need to celebrate the new presidential administration. 

“Texas continues to mourn with our fellow Americans across the country over the passing of former President Jimmy Carter," Abbott said in a statement. "While we honor the service of a former President, we must also celebrate the service of an incoming President and the bright future ahead for the United States of America.”

Abbott's order will only apply to flags at the state capitol in Austin, and other official state buildings. Biden's order is for every American flag nationwide, and is in line with Section 4 of the U.S. code. However, there is no penalty for noncompliance, per CBS News.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.