Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has issued an order directing that United States and Arkansas state flags be raised to full staff on Monday, January 20, 2025, in honor of President Donald J. Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. This significant day marks the peaceful transfer of power, a cornerstone of American democracy.
In her proclamation, Governor Sanders emphasized the importance of the inauguration, calling it “an opportunity to celebrate the new President, his administration, and the millions of Americans who united around his message and voted to elect him.” The governor highlighted America’s global leadership and the democratic tradition of transitioning power smoothly between administrations.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson announced that flags at the U.S. Capitol would also be raised in honor of the event. However, they will subsequently be lowered to half-staff to continue honoring the memory of former President James “Jimmy” Earl Carter, Jr., in accordance with a proclamation by President Joe Biden on December 29, 2024. This period of mourning will extend until January 28, 2025.
Following this lead, Governor Sanders has ordered Arkansas state flags to follow the same protocol. Flags at the Arkansas Capitol and all state buildings will be raised to full staff from sunrise on January 20, 2025, for the inauguration and lowered again to half-staff at sunrise on January 21, 2025, to resume honoring President Carter.
Governor Sanders signed the proclamation on January 15, 2025, and reiterated the importance of recognizing both the historic inauguration and the memory of a former president who served the nation. This order reflects Arkansas’s respect for national traditions and the legacies of past and present leaders.
