Flags Up, Respect Down: Inauguration Day Controversy

You might have heard that the flags at the US Capitol will fly full-staff for Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday. This decision, announced by House Speaker Mike Johnson, comes despite a White House order to keep flags at half-staff for 30 days after former President Jimmy Carter's passing. The change is causing quite a stir, as some see it as disrespectful to Carter's memory. President Jimmy Carter died on December 29, 2024, and flags were lowered to half-staff at federal buildings, following tradition. President Joe Biden ordered this for a month. But then, Trump spoke up. He wasn't happy about the flags possibly staying low during his inauguration. He even took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his thoughts. "Democrats are thrilled about this, " he wrote. "They don't care about the country; they only care about themselves. " Trump's inauguration won't be the first time flags have flown at half-staff during a presidential swearing-in. In 1973, flags were lowered for Richard Nixon's inauguration after the death of former President Harry Truman. This situation raises questions about tradition and respect. Should the inauguration of a new president take precedence over honoring a former president's memory? And what does this decision say about our priorities as a nation?