Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday he is ordering flags to be raised to full-staff on Jan. 20, saying it is vital to celebrate President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration despite a 30-day period of national mourning for the late President Jimmy Carter.

Mr. Abbott, a Republican, took pains to celebrate Carter’s “steadfast leadership” and “lasting legacy,” but said that recognition must be balanced with a salute to the incoming president.

“While we honor the service of a former president, we must also celebrate the service of an incoming president and the bright future ahead for the United States of America,” Mr. Abbott said.

The order stems from President Biden’s proclamation following Carter’s death on Dec. 29 at age 100.

Mr. Biden decreed that American flags should be lowered until Jan. 28 under a part of the flag code that calls for 30 days of mourning for a current or former president who dies. No flags should fly higher than the U.S. flag, so state flags and other banners are often lowered, too.

Mr. Trump was upset, however, to realize the flags would be at half-staff during his inauguration.

“The Democrats are all ’giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ’half mast’ during my Inauguration. They think it’s so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they don’t love our Country, they only think about themselves,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out.”

Mr. Abbott, a key ally, responded by ordering the flags to be raised on Jan. 20 at the Texas Capitol and all state buildings.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.