The “Make America Great Again” flag will be prominently displayed above the Louisiana governor’s mansion in celebration of Donald Trump’s inauguration, as announced by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry on Friday.
“Today marks the beginning of a new era under President Trump,” Landry stated in an official release. “This is a time when America and her citizens will be prioritized. In Louisiana, we believe this is an occasion worthy of recognition!”
As a strong supporter of Trump, Landry encouraged residents of Louisiana to display their MAGA flags on the day of the inauguration. Previously, the governor had instructed that flags on state buildings be flown at half-staff to honor the 14 victims of a New Year’s terrorist attack in New Orleans.
The inauguration coincided with a day of remembrance that had initially been designated for British citizen Edward Pettifer, the stepson of the former nanny to Prince William. A spokesperson for Landry indicated that state flags would be lowered for Pettifer on January 24 instead.
In a related development, House Speaker Mike Johnson had also ordered the flags at the U.S. Capitol to be raised to full staff on Inauguration Day, thus temporarily halting a 30-day order to lower flags following the death of former President Jimmy Carter last month. The flags are set to be lowered again the very next day.
Governors from various states, including North Dakota, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Iowa, California, and Texas, have expressed their intention to raise U.S. flags to full staff within their jurisdictions on inauguration day.
A flag-lowering directive issued by President Joe Biden on December 29 impacts federal government facilities and U.S. embassies globally, lasting until January 28, which encompasses Trump’s inaugural week.
Trump has voiced his dismay regarding the protocol of displaying flags at half-mast during his swearing-in event. “Democrats seem ‘excited’ about the idea of flags being lowered on Inauguration Day,” he remarked on social media on January 3.
“No one is pleased to see this,” Trump concluded, stating that “not one American should find joy in it. It will be interesting to see how things unfold. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Already, Trump has begun the practice of flying U.S. flags at full staff from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
