On January 17, 2025, similar to what Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and several Republican governors across the United States are planning to do, Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom will also raise the American flag in front of the state government building on the day of Trump’s inauguration.
Over the years, Newsom has been at odds with Trump. However, with Southern California experiencing devastating wildfires that have already claimed 25 lives, Newsom will need federal assistance.
According to the Associated Press, Newsom’s spokesperson Izzy Gardon confirmed on Wednesday (January 15) that the governor has instructed the flag at the State Capitol building in Sacramento to be raised to celebrate Trump’s presidential inauguration. In honor of the late former President Jimmy Carter, President Biden previously announced that flags at the Capitol and in all states would be lowered to half-staff for 30 days.
The overlap of lowering the flag and Trump’s inauguration day has sparked Trump’s displeasure. He expressed on his social media platform Truth Social: “No one wants to see this, no American will be happy about it.” House Speaker Johnson announced on Tuesday (January 14) that the Capitol Hill flag will not be lowered on Inauguration Day.
Governors Brad Little of Idaho, Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota, Ron DeSantis of Florida, Kay Ivey of Alabama, Bill Lee of Tennessee, and Kim Reynolds of Iowa have all announced this week that in honor of President Carter, the American flags in their states will be lowered again on January 21st, the day after Trump’s inauguration. Texas Governor Greg Abbott also issued a similar notice on the 13th.