From the True Idaho News Editorial Board:
As of January 15, governors from at least seven states —Florida, Alabama, Texas, Iowa, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Tennessee— have announced they will raise flags to full staff on January 20 for Donald Trump’s inauguration. Additionally, flags at the U.S. Capitol will also be raised to full staff for the event, as ordered by House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The question for Idahoans is, “Will Idaho’s Governor Brad Little do the same?”
It is practice in the United States that when a sitting or former U.S. president dies, the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff for 30 days from the date of death at all federal buildings, grounds, military installations, and naval vessels. It is a mark of national mourning and respect for the deceased president, acknowledging their service to the nation as its highest elected leader.
The Editorial Board at True Idaho News believes Governor Little should join House Speaker Johnson and the seven states mentioned and fly the flag at full staff on Inauguration Day.
Raising the flag to full staff during such a mourning period is not without precidence. Flags were raised to full staff on January 20, 1973, during President Richard Nixon’s second inauguration, despite the ongoing 30-day period of national mourning for former President Harry S. Truman, who passed away on December 26, 1972.
Governors have the discretion to order flags to be flown at half-staff or full-staff on state property based on specific occasions. Flying the flag at full staff would honor the peaceful transfer of power, a hallmark creation of our nation’s founders. Such an act would honor the resilience of our nation’s ongoing peaceful power transitions plus demonstrate support for the incoming administration.
This is not a partisan issue. The Editorial Board believes such an act should be done regardless of the political affiliation of the incoming President.
By raising the flag, Brad Little would be acknowledging the president-elect’s position as the nation’s leader, plus underscoring the President’s role in being a force for unity.
The editorial board of True Idaho News strongly encourages Governor Little to order all flags on state property to be flown at full staff on Inauguration Day, January 20.
The views and opinions expressed by contributors to True Idaho News do not necessarily reflect those of Shadowtrail Media, LLC, its founders, or owners.
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