Gov. Newsom to Raise U.S. Flag Full Mast in Sacramento On Election Day

The office of Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed this week that the U.S. flag at the State Capitol building in Sacramento would be raised from half-staff to full-staff on January 20th in honor of Donald Trump’s second inauguration, becoming the only Democrat Governor to join GOP Governors.

Traditionally, American flags are flown at half-staff for a full month following the death of a former U.S. president. As former President Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29th of last year, flags across the country are to be kept at half-staff until January 28th. However, the mourning period of Carter’s death also coincides with the inauguration of Trump. As the inauguration is a celebratory day, many states have been torn on what exactly to do with the flag.

Like all former Presidents, Trump sent condolences to the Carter family and spoke well of former President Carter at his passing.

“President Jimmy Carter is dead at 100 years of age,” wrote Trump on Truth Social. “While I strongly disagreed with him philosophically and politically, I also realized that he truly loved and respected our Country, and all it stands for. He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect. He was a truly good man and, of course, will be greatly missed. He was also very consequential, far more than most Presidents, after he left the Oval Office. Warmest condolences from Melania and I to his wonderful family!”

The issue of lowering the flag for a full month then became politicized at the beginning of the year. Supporters of Trump began asking for a one day reprieve and allowing to fly the flag at full mast for a day since the inauguration was an important event for the country. Meanwhile, opponents wrote that they liked that the flag would be at half-mast during his inauguration, as it would also be “mourning Trump’s inauguration”.

On January 3rd, Trump called out his opponents, and noted his support for raising the flag for a single day and then relowering it until the 28th.

“The Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ‘half mast’ during my Inauguration,” wrote Trump. “They think it’s so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they don’t love our Country, they only think about themselves. Look at what they’ve done to our once GREAT America over the past four years – It’s a total mess! In any event, because of the death of President Jimmy Carter, the Flag may, for the first time ever during an Inauguration of a future President, be at half mast. Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Since then, most Republican led states have announced that they will be temporarily raising the flag at statehouses on the 20th. Idaho Governor Brad Little, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Texas Governor Greg Abbott have been amongst state leaders announcing the flag decision.

In a surprising move, Governor Newsom’s office confirmed on Thursday that the flag at the California state capitol building will likewise be flying full mast on the 20th, becoming the first and, as of Thursday night, only Democratic led state to do so. The confirmation itself was only announced by Newsom Spokesperson Izzy Gardon via the AP, leaving exact reasons why Newsom allowed the flag change unknown. However, capitol insiders told the Globe on Thursday that Newsom may be wanting to curry favor with Trump to secure federal wildfire relief funds and resources following two months of work to “Trump-proof” the state.

“We can’t say for 100% certainty, but you can sort of connect the dots here,” said Dana, a Capitol staffer, told the Globe on Thursday. “Newsom had been leading this charge against Trump and doing everything he could to make federal changes more difficult. I mean, look at what Newsom and Biden did in securing EPA approval for the 2035 gas powered car sales ban mandate. 

“Since he was elected, Newsom, Bonta and others have been all-in in “Trump-Proofing” the state. But then the wildfires struck. Now, Trump isn’t going to just plain deny help to California. But he can limit it or make them work for it. Many Republicans in Washington are asking to put conditions on that relief. Newsom and others don’t want that.

“The flag being raised for his inauguration, it is a small gesture. But it’s also a humiliating one for many Democrats in California. Will that alone win over Trump? Probably not, but it does show that state leaders know that they need to stop antagonizing him, as they really don’t want strings attached on the relief funds. I would expect more of these gestures when he is in office and when relief funds are still in play.”