Current Presidential Authority Over Flags at Half Staff
The President of the United States can order the national flag to half staff under federal law and executive tradition, typically through a formal proclamation or executive order. The authority is rooted in the Flag Code and executive power, allowing the commander in chief to lower flags on federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels to honor deaths of officials, tragedies, or national mourning periods White House. Recent directives show that the President issues these orders after consulting with the White House staff, often publishing the proclamation on the official website and directing agencies to comply within hours.
Executive orders and proclamations on flags at half staff are distinct from routine flag displays, and they carry immediate legal weight across executive branch entities. The White House press secretary usually announces the order, specifying the start and end dates, the reason for the directive, and the scope of the order. Federal agencies then update their flagpoles, and the General Services Administration coordinates compliance at federally owned facilities nationwide.
Federal Protocol and the Flag Code for Half-Staff Displays
Legal Basis and the Flag Code
The Flag Code, codified in Title 4 of the United States Code, outlines the rules for displaying the national flag, including when it should be flown at half staff. Under the Code, the President has the power to proclaim that the flag be displayed at half staff as a mark of respect for the death of principal figures of the United States Government or other notable individuals Cornell Law. The Code also allows the President to lower the flag to honor tragedies, major disasters, or deaths of state officials when the state governor issues a parallel proclamation.
Standard Half-Staff Procedures
Federal protocol requires that the flag be raised briskly to the top of the staff and then lowered slowly to the half-staff position, where it remains until noon on the day of burial or the final date specified in the proclamation. At the end of the mourning period, the flag is raised to the top again and then lowered ceremoniously. The Department of Defense and the General Services Administration issue guidance to ensure that all federal buildings, military installations, and diplomatic posts follow these procedures consistently.
Recent Half-Staff Orders and Executive Actions
Recent Presidential Directives
Recent presidential directives have covered the deaths of former presidents, Supreme Court justices, members of Congress, and national leaders, as well as mass shootings and major national tragedies. In each case, the President signed a proclamation or executive order directing the flag to half staff on all federal properties, military bases, and U.S. embassies abroad Congress.gov. These orders typically specify the start and end dates, the reason for the directive, and any exceptions for certain facilities or events.
State-Level Coordination and Federal Facilities
Governors often issue matching half-staff orders for their states, and the federal government coordinates with state agencies to ensure consistency across federal facilities located within state borders. The Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and the General Services Administration update their internal guidance and notify facility managers of the exact dates and procedures. In some cases, the President extends the half-staff period beyond the initial proclamation, signaling continued national mourning or respect National Archives.