View the Original .pdfOf course, here is your analysis of Presidential Proclamation 10885.
The 1-Minute Brief
What: Presidential Proclamation 10885 directs that the flag of the United States be flown at full-staff on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025, and on all future Inauguration Days. This temporarily supersedes a previous proclamation that had ordered the flag to be flown at half-staff in memory of former President James Earl Carter, Jr.
Money: This proclamation has no direct financial impact. The costs associated with displaying the U.S. flag are part of the routine operational budgets of federal agencies.
Your Impact: For the average American, the direct impact is seeing the U.S. flag at full-staff on Inauguration Day at federal buildings, military installations, and embassies. This is a symbolic gesture intended to honor the peaceful transfer of power.
Status: This proclamation was issued on January 20, 2025, and published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2025.
What's Actually in the Bill
This executive proclamation sets a new, standing order for the display of the United States flag on Inauguration Day.
Core Provisions:
- The flag of the United States is to be flown at full-staff on January 20, 2025, and on all future Inauguration Days.
- This order applies to the White House, all public buildings and grounds, military posts, naval stations, and all federal government naval vessels.
- The order also extends to all United States embassies, consular offices, and other overseas facilities.
- The proclamation explicitly states that at the conclusion of Inauguration Day 2025, the flag is to be returned to half-staff to continue honoring former President James Earl Carter, Jr., as directed by Proclamation 10876.
Stated Purpose (from the Sponsors):
The stated purpose is to honor "Inauguration Day and everything good and noble that it represents about our Nation, our people, and our form of Government."
Key Facts:
Affected Sectors: Government, Military.
Timeline: This proclamation took effect immediately on January 20, 2025, and establishes a permanent practice for all future Inauguration Days.
Scope: The order has a nationwide and global reach, covering all federal government facilities.
The Backstory: How We Got Here
Timeline of Events:
The U.S. Flag Code and Presidential Authority:
The U.S. Flag Code, first passed by Congress in 1942, codifies the customs and rules surrounding the display of the nation's flag. The code includes provisions for when the flag should be flown at half-staff, such as upon the death of a president or former president. It also explicitly grants the President the authority to alter or add to the rules for displaying the flag through a proclamation.
Death of a Former President:
On December 29, 2024, former President James Earl Carter, Jr. passed away. In response, the sitting president issued Proclamation 10876, ordering the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff for a period of 30 days. This is a traditional and codified sign of national mourning.
Why Now? The Political Calculus:
- The 30-day mourning period for President Carter overlapped with Inauguration Day on January 20, 2025.
- This created a conflict between two powerful symbolic traditions: honoring a deceased former president and celebrating a new presidential term.
- The incoming administration likely saw a need to prioritize the symbolism of a fresh start and the peaceful transfer of power that Inauguration Day represents.
- Issuing a proclamation to fly the flag at full-staff for this one day was the procedural mechanism to resolve this symbolic conflict.
Your Real-World Impact
The Direct Answer: This directly affects specific groups, namely government and military personnel responsible for flag displays, but for most Americans, the impact is purely symbolic.
What Could Change for You:
Potential Benefits:
- For those who view Inauguration Day as a key moment of national unity and forward-looking celebration, this proclamation reinforces that sentiment.
Possible Disruptions or Costs:
Short-term (January 20, 2025):
- There were no significant disruptions or costs for the general public.
Long-term:
- This sets a precedent for future Inauguration Days that may occur during a period of national mourning, establishing the symbolic primacy of the inauguration ceremony.
Who's Most Affected:
Primary Groups: Federal government employees and military personnel who are tasked with raising and lowering the flag at official sites.
Secondary Groups: Americans who closely follow political traditions and the symbolic meaning behind them.
Regional Impact: The visual change was most apparent in Washington D.C. and at federal buildings across the country.
Bottom Line: This proclamation altered a visual symbol for a single day to prioritize the celebration of a new presidential term over an ongoing period of mourning.
Where the Parties Stand
As a presidential proclamation, this was not subject to a vote or debate between political parties in the same way as legislation. The stances below reflect general party sentiment.
Republican Position: "A Celebration of a New Beginning"
Core Stance: Supportive of the proclamation to ensure Inauguration Day is marked with the full honors befitting the start of a new administration.
Their Arguments:
- ✓ Emphasizes the importance of celebrating the peaceful transfer of power.
- ✓ Prioritizes the forward-looking nature of an inauguration over a period of mourning for a past leader.
- ⚠️ None apparent, as the action aligns with presidential authority.
- ✗ Opposition to keeping the flag at half-staff on a day of national celebration.
Legislative Strategy: N/A - This was an executive action.
Democratic Position: "Honoring a Legacy of Service"
Core Stance: Generally supportive of upholding the traditional 30-day mourning period for a former president.
Their Arguments:
- ✓ Upholding the tradition of honoring a former president's service is a sign of national respect.
- ⚠️ A potential concern could be that overriding the mourning period, even for a day, could be seen as diminishing the honor paid to President Carter.
- ✗ Opposition to what might be perceived as a politically motivated change to a solemn tradition.
Legislative Strategy: N/A - This was an executive action.
Constitutional Check
The Verdict: ✓ Constitutional
Basis of Authority:
The President's authority to issue this proclamation stems from the U.S. Flag Code, specifically 4 U.S.C. § 10, which allows the President to modify the rules and customs pertaining to the display of the flag.
4 U.S. Code § 10. Modification of rules and customs by President: "[A]ny rule or custom pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States of America...may be altered, modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may be prescribed, by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, whenever he deems it to be appropriate or desirable; and any such alteration or additional rule shall be set forth in a proclamation."
Constitutional Implications:
[Executive Authority]: The proclamation is a straightforward exercise of the authority granted to the President by Congress in the Flag Code.
[Precedent]: Presidents have long used proclamations to direct how the flag should be displayed, including during periods of mourning for notable figures not explicitly covered in the original code.
[Federalism]: This proclamation applies only to federal facilities and does not compel states or private citizens to act, thus not overstepping into powers reserved for the states.
Potential Legal Challenges:
It is highly unlikely that this proclamation would face any serious legal challenges, as the President's authority in this matter is clearly established by federal statute.
Your Action Options
As this proclamation has already been issued and enacted, direct action to support or oppose it is no longer timely. However, for future reference regarding executive actions:
TO SUPPORT THIS ACTION
5-Minute Actions:
- Contact the White House: Express your support for the decision via the White House comment line or website.
30-Minute Deep Dive:
- Write a Letter to the Editor: Submit a letter to your local newspaper explaining why you believe the proclamation was a proper and fitting gesture for Inauguration Day.
- Engage on Social Media: Share your supportive views on the importance of this symbolic act.
TO OPPOSE THIS ACTION
5-Minute Actions:
- Contact the White House: Voice your opposition to the decision through official White House channels.
30-Minute Deep Dive:
- Write a Letter to the Editor: Explain your perspective on why the period of mourning should have been observed without interruption.
- Contact Veterans and Historical Organizations: Share your views with groups that focus on preserving national traditions.