Governor Makes Historic Call

Governor Joe Lombardo announced Friday that Nevada will raise its flags to full-staff for Donald Trump’s inauguration, joining other states in marking this historic transfer of power while balancing traditional mourning protocols.

Lombardo declared in a proclamation:

“The State of Nevada is proud to join in celebrating the inauguration of President-Elect Donald J. Trump,”

The governor emphasized:

“Inauguration Day has, for centuries, been a time when the American People join together to welcome a new era of leadership and opportunity.”

 A Nation United in Tradition

The governor’s office released the proclamation at 5:20 p.m., following some uncertainty earlier in the day when the website simply showed an updated flag status without explanation. The decision aligns Nevada with other states and the U.S. Capitol, where Speaker Johnson has ordered flags to fly at full-staff for the ceremony.

In his proclamation, Lombardo noted:

“leaders from across the United States have made clear that it is in the best interest of our citizens to raise the flag to full-staff to celebrate the inauguration of our new President.”

Other States Take Similar Action

Several states have moved decisively on this issue.

Iowa, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Alabama all ordered flags to be raised to full-staff during Trump’s inauguration on Monday. Like Nevada, many of these states plan to return their flags to half-staff the following day to continue honoring President Carter.

The U.S. Capitol set an important precedent when House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on January 14 that flags would fly at full-staff during the inauguration. Alabama, Iowa, and Florida quickly followed suit, confirming they would return to half-staff the next day.

Historical Context

This isn’t the first time the nation has faced such a protocol decision.

In February 1973, President Richard Nixon ordered flags raised to full-staff during the mourning period for President Lyndon Johnson to honor the release of American prisoners of war from Vietnam. Similarly, following Ronald Reagan’s death in June 2004, flags were raised temporarily for Independence Day celebrations.

While critics might question interrupting the mourning period, supporters point out that the peaceful transfer of power is one of America’s most cherished traditions. The U.S. Flag Code, while mandating 30 days of half-staff observance after a former president’s death, doesn’t specifically address what should happen when Inauguration Day falls within this period.

Indoor Ceremony Plans

The flag protocol announcement comes as President-elect Trump revealed plans to move Monday’s inauguration ceremony indoors due to expected freezing weather in Washington, D.C. The ceremony will take place in the Capitol Rotunda, making it the first indoor presidential inauguration since Ronald Reagan’s second swearing-in in 1985, which was also moved inside due to severe weather.

President-elect Trump wrote:

It is my obligation to protect the People of our Country but, before we even begin, we have to think of the Inauguration itself. 

The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows. There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.

It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!).”

The change means most ticketed guests won’t be able to attend in person, according to the Joint Inaugural Committee. Instead, Trump plans to open Capital One Arena for public viewing of the ceremony, saying he’ll “join the crowd at Capital One, after my Swearing In.”

Workers are already preparing the historic Rotunda, building a stage for the 60th Presidential Inauguration.

Looking Forward

For those who value America’s time-honored customs, this decision represents more than just flag protocol. “

The United States flag shall be lowered to half-staff after inauguration day to continue the Period of Mourning,” the proclamation states, balancing the celebration of our new leadership with proper respect for President Carter’s memory.

The decision puts Nevada in step with other state leaders who chose to honor both traditions, demonstrating how states can thoughtfully navigate these moments of overlapping national significance.

On Monday, Nevadans will see their flags fly high, marking another peaceful transition of power in our nation’s history.

This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.