California Governor Raises Flags for Trump Inauguration

California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that American flags will be temporarily raised to full height at the state Capitol on January 20 to coincide with President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. This decision marks a departure from the standard practice of flying flags at half-staff during the 30-day mourning period for former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024. Newsom is the only Democratic governor to make this choice, aligning himself with several Republican governors and House Speaker Mike Johnson, who also ordered flags at full-staff for the inauguration. The flags will return to half-staff on January 21, continuing the mourning period until January 28. Trump's criticism of Democrats being 'giddy' about potential half-staff flags during his inauguration has been a point of contention leading up to the event. The decision occurs amid California's ongoing recovery efforts from devastating wildfires, highlighting Newsom's complex political landscape.