Mar-a-Lago flags now at full staff despite 30-day mourning period for Jimmy Carter
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Flags at Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump’s private club in Palm Beach, Florida, are flying at full-staff despite federal and state orders for flags to remain at half-staff until Jan. 28. The guidelines were issued to honor former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Dec. 29 at the age of 100.
According to the Associated Press, flags at Mar-a-Lago were initially lowered in accordance with protocol but were raised again shortly after Carter was buried on Thursday in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Trump’s representatives have not commented on the decision to raise the flags.
Why flags at Mar-a-Lago are at full-staff
Why you should care:
Federal flag protocol mandates that flags remain at half-staff for 30 days following the death of a former president. Both President Joe Biden and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued orders confirming this timeline.
The decision to raise flags at Mar-a-Lago diverges from these orders, drawing attention as Trump remains a prominent figure and 2024 presidential candidate.
People enjoy the beach near the Mar-a-Lago Club, President-elect Donald Trump's Florida residence on January 11, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
How states and the federal government handle flag protocol
What they're saying:
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also made headlines by directing flags at state buildings to be flown at full-staff on Jan. 20, which coincides with the inauguration of Trump’s second term.
"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 said in a statement.
Trump’s connection to flag protocol controversies
The backstory:
This isn’t the first time Trump has made headlines over flag-related decisions. During the 2018 death of Senator John McCain, Trump faced criticism for initially resisting lowering flags to half-staff.
In Carter’s case, Trump offered praise for the 39th president in a statement following his death, despite often criticizing him during his campaign. Trump paid respects at Carter’s casket while it lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda and attended his state funeral service in Washington, D.C., last week.
The Source
This story is based on reporting by the Associated Press, with additional details from official statements and government protocols.