The governor of Texas is ignoring the 30-day mourning period issued by the current administration for former President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29, and will raise flags to full-staff to honor Donald Trump's inauguration.
"As we unite our country and usher in this new era of leadership, I ordered all flags to be raised to full-staff at the Texas Capitol and all state buildings for the inauguration of President Trump," Gov. Greg Abbott wrote in a statement released Monday.
"While we honor the service of a former President, we must also celebrate the service of an incoming President and the bright future ahead for the United States of America," the statement continued.
The internet branded Abbott's move "disgraceful" and "disrespectful" to Carter's legacy as the 39th president. However, the Republican governor defended his decision by citing a federal statute stating "the U.S. flag should be displayed 'especially on...Inauguration Day, January 20.'"
Furthermore, states are not required to comply with president's order to fly flags at half-staff during the mourning period and will not be penalized for doing so.
Abbott was the first state leader to defy the mandate after Trump ignored the order and raised the flags at Mar-a-Lago. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey followed suit and will also fly flags at full-staff on Inauguration Day, as reported by WSFA.
Trump's inauguration will span four days, beginning with a president's reception and fireworks display at the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia on Jan. 18, according to Politico.
The inauguration will then take place on Jan. 20, when Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will be sworn in at noon. Festivities will conclude on Tuesday with a National Prayer Service.
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