California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, will be joining Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and several GOP governors across the nation in the decision to raise U.S. flags to full height on Inauguration Day. This move comes as a temporary directive from Governor Newsom to raise flags at the state Capitol in Sacramento in honor of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. The decision to raise flags contrasts with the current practice of lowering flags to half-staff at the U.S. Capitol and statehouses nationwide to pay tribute to the late former President Jimmy Carter.
Governor Newsom, who has had a contentious relationship with President Trump, is seeking federal assistance as California grapples with the aftermath of devastating wildfires that have claimed the lives of more than two dozen individuals. President Trump has expressed his displeasure with the tradition of lowering American flags during his inauguration, stating on social media that 'Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it.'
Several Republican governors, including Idaho Governor Brad Little, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, have announced that U.S. flags in their respective states will be re-lowered on January 21st in honor of President Carter. Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a similar notice earlier this week.
