When the President of the United States orders the American flag to be flown at half-staff, it serves as a directive for federal buildings and grounds across the nation. This article aims to clarify for state governors the redundancy of issuing separate orders for the same purpose.
The President’s authority to order the flag to half-staff is encompassing and is recognized across the United States of America. This directive automatically extends to all federal buildings, military facilities, and U.S. embassies worldwide, setting a precedent for national mourning or respect.
The authority for the President of the United States to order the American flag to half-staff comes from the Title 4 (what we commonly call the Flag Code), Chapter 1 of the United States Code covers the use and display of the flag and provides the President with the discretion to order the flag to be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect to the memory of certain deceased officials and individuals, as well as during certain national observances.
The Governor’s role in flag protocols is crucial within their respective state. However, when the President issues a half-staff order, it universally applies and is inherently inclusive of all states and territories. Issuing a separate state directive under these circumstances becomes redundant.
Governors have the authority to order the US and state flags to half-staff within their respective states and that is derived from a few areas.
Their role as the commander-in-chief for their State and National Guards, Title 4 USC, Public Law 110-41, and lastly, their respective state laws or gubernatorial proclamations. Each state has its own set of protocols and guidelines regarding the lowering of the flag to half-staff, often in line with federal guidelines but also with specific provisions for state-level officials, dignitaries, or events.
For state governors, recognizing the comprehensive nature of the President’s directive to fly the flag at half-staff is crucial. Issuing a separate state order under these circumstances is not only redundant and a waste of resources, but can also detract from the unified national sentiment intended by the gesture. In such times, it is more effective to support and relay the federal directive, ensuring a cohesive and respectful national response.
Written by DeVaughn Simper, Resident Vexillologist for Colonial Flag
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