Biden’s flag order for Jimmy Carter only affects federal sites, not states

Washington, D.C.: President Biden’s order to fly flags at half-staff is only for federal properties. This means state flags can stay at full-staff.
After former President Jimmy Carter passed away, Biden announced that flags would be at half-staff for 30 days. However, this period includes Inauguration Day when Donald Trump took office.
Some governors, like Texas’s Greg Abbott and Alabama’s Kay Ivey, decided their state flags would remain at full-staff on Inauguration Day. They argue they’re following a federal statute.
There’s been chatter online about these governors “defying U.S. policy,” but the truth is, states aren’t legally bound to follow Biden’s order.
Biden’s executive order specifically mentions flags on federal grounds, like the White House and national parks. It doesn’t extend to state properties.
While it’s common for states to follow such orders, they aren’t required to do so. The flag code states flags should be displayed at half-staff for 30 days after a president’s death, but it doesn’t enforce penalties for non-compliance.
Earlier this month, Trump voiced his frustration about the half-staff order during his inauguration. Both Ivey and Abbott are Republicans and have made their positions clear.
Ivey mentioned that Alabama’s flags would return to half-staff the day after Inauguration Day, on January 21, 2025.