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Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has entered the Treasure State in an ongoing flag war between supporters of President-elect Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden, who for ordered the United States flag at half-staff on Monday, Inauguration Day.
Trump has taken to social media several times to criticize Biden’s decision, and suggest the move was politically motivated.
On Thursday, Gianforte’s office issued a proclamation, meaning that Montana will follow the lead of U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, in ordering the flags at the Capitol to be raised to full-staff on Monday to celebrate Trump’s inauguration, and then lowered for the remainder of the 30-day period to honor the late President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29, 2024 at the age of 100.
For decades, America has honored its presidents who have died by lowering flags for one month (or 30 days) to half-staff as a sign of mourning and respect. However, it appears that Trump took the move, ordered by Biden, as an insult, claiming that it had never happened and “no American was happy.”
However, National Public Radio reports that flags were at half-staff when President Richard M. Nixon took office for his second term in 1973, after former President Harry S. Truman died on Dec. 26, 1972.
Gianforte followed other Republicans throughout the country. For example, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sent out flag orders competing with Biden’s, ordering the flags to be flown high on Monday, then kept at half-staff until the 30-day period of mourning ends.
Trump has made several posts about what he perceives as a snub to his inaugural celebration, accusing Democrats on his Truth social media account of using the moment for politics:
“The Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ‘half mast’ during my Inauguration. 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.”
Gianforte was among the state leaders who expressed sadness and condolences upon the death of Carter.
“While Montana continues to recognize and remember the memory of Former President Jimmy Carter, we must also greet the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, with honor,” Gov. Gianforte said. “As we welcome this new era of leadership, I ordered all flags to be raised to full staff at the Montana State Capitol and all state buildings for the inauguration of President Trump.”
Biden’s order will only affect flags flown on federal properties; Gianforte’s proclamation only affect flags on state properties.
Monday is also Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.