Brielle Meyer

In accordance with President Trump’s proclamation, Michigan’s governor ordered all U.S. and Michigan flags throughout the state of Michigan to be raised.

^{Photo credit: Associated Press}

Note: This is a story I wrote for WZZM 13 in January of 2025. The original can be found here.

MICHIGAN, USA — On Monday, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president. In his inaugural address, he promised to “end America’s decline” and to “completely and totally reverse” the actions that Joe Biden took while in office.

One of the first actions he took once his swearing-in was complete was to make a presidential proclamation. The proclamation ordered that for the rest of his Inauguration Day, and for all in the future, the U.S. flag should be flown at full-staff.

In accordance with Trump’s proclamation, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered all U.S. and Michigan flags throughout the state of Michigan to be raised immediately for the remainder of Inauguration Day.

Trump’s proclamation reads in part:

“I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at full-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government, in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions, for the remainder of this day beginning immediately.

I also direct that, for the same period of time, the flag shall be flown at full-staff at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”

Once Inauguration Day is over, Trump’s proclamation states that flags can and should be returned to half-staff as directed by Proclamation 10876 of Dec. 29, 2024. That proclamation was the announcement of the death of Former President Jimmy Carter.

On Dec. 21, when flags return to half-staff, they should remain at half-staff through the remainder of the 30-day mourning period for Carter.

Whitmer’s announcement instructed that to lower flags to half-staff once again, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.