Republican Official Refuses to Lower Flags for Jimmy Carter, Sparking Controversy

Nassau County Executive Refuses to Lower Flags for Jimmy Carter

A Republican official in Nassau County, New York, has sparked controversy by refusing to lower flags to half-staff in honor of former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away recently.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, has not publicly explained his decision, despite President Biden's order for flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days at all federal facilities. When contacted for comment, Blakeman's spokesperson was unavailable.

This decision has drawn criticism from Democratic county legislator Seth Koslow, who believes honoring a former president should transcend partisan politics. "Politics shouldn't play into this right now," Koslow said. "This should be about what's right for a person who represented our country, who guided our country and then served our country when they were done as president, and it's the right thing to do."

Following Carter's death, President Biden declared January 9th a national day of mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days at all federal buildings and military facilities. This order is based on a proclamation issued by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1954.

The order means flags will still be at half-staff on Inauguration Day on January 20th, when President-elect Donald Trump assumes office. Trump expressed his displeasure with this on social media, stating that "because of the death of President Jimmy Carter, the Flag may, for the first time ever during an Inauguration of a future President, be at half mast. Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let's see how it plays out."

Despite Trump's objections, the White House has stated that they will not consider reversing or reevaluating the order. Trump has confirmed that he plans to attend Carter's funeral.