If you’re walking past the National Mall or driving down Pennsylvania Avenue today, January 17, 2026, you’ve probably noticed the American flags sitting low on their poles. It’s a somber sight that usually stops people in their tracks. Why are they down? Is there a new national tragedy?
Honestly, it's not always about a fresh headline. Sometimes, it’s about a long goodbye.
The primary reason you’re seeing flags at half mast in DC today—and across the entire country—is the continued period of national mourning for former President Jimmy Carter. While he passed away in late 2025, the official federal protocols for a former president are massive. We are currently in the 30-day window following his death where the U.S. Flag Code dictates that the colors remain at half-staff.
🔗 Read more: List of US Presidents and Years: Why the Dates Actually Matter
It’s a tradition that goes back decades. Basically, whenever a sitting or former president dies, the nation pauses for a full month.
The Rules Behind Why Are Flags at Half Mast in DC Today
Most people think a governor or the President just wakes up and decides to lower the flag on a whim. That’s not really how it works. There’s a very specific set of rules called the U.S. Flag Code (4 U.S.C. § 7). It’s the "instruction manual" for the Stars and Stripes.
According to this code, the flag must fly at half-staff for exactly 30 days after the death of a President or former President. Because Carter's official proclamation was issued by the White House in late December, that 30-day clock is still ticking. It doesn't matter if it's a weekend or a holiday; those flags stay down until the mourning period officially expires on January 28, 2026.
Local DC Honors and the "Double" Mourning
There’s a second layer to this if you’re looking at specific buildings around the District. While the national order for Jimmy Carter covers the White House and the Capitol, some local DC agencies and nearby states like New Jersey have their own specific tributes happening right now.
In fact, today, January 17, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey ordered flags in his state to stay at half-staff specifically to honor Congressman Dick Zimmer, a long-time public servant who recently passed away. While that’s a New Jersey order, you’ll often see flags at federal buildings in DC that represent state interests (like the offices of NJ representatives) reflecting these local honors too.
It gets confusing. You’ve got a national order overlapping with state orders, and sometimes a specific building order for a fallen officer or local hero.
What Most People Miss About Flag Etiquette
A lot of folks assume that "half mast" and "half staff" are the same thing. Technically? They aren't. If you want to sound like a DC insider, you should know the difference.
- Half-staff is what you see on land. This applies to the White House, the Washington Monument, and your neighbor's front porch.
- Half-mast is the term specifically used for ships at sea or at naval stations.
Since DC is a mix of federal land and naval installations (like the Washington Navy Yard), you’ll hear both. But if you're standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, you're looking at a flag at half-staff.
Another weird quirk? You can’t just raise the flag halfway up the pole and stop. The proper way to do it is to hoist the flag to the very peak for a brief moment, then lower it slowly to the halfway point. When it’s time to take it down for the night, you have to hoist it back to the top again before lowering it all the way. It’s about respect. You never just "stop" halfway.
Does the Inauguration Change Things?
We are just a few days away from Inauguration Day on January 20. This has caused a bit of a stir in the political world. Usually, Inauguration is a day of celebration where flags fly high. However, because we are still in the 30-day mourning period for Jimmy Carter, there’s been a lot of debate on how to handle the transition.
Last year, during the planning phases, several governors mentioned they might briefly raise their flags to full-staff to honor the new administration before lowering them back down. In DC, however, the federal buildings usually stick strictly to the Presidential Proclamation. If the current order says half-staff until January 28, that's likely where they will stay, even as the new President takes the oath.
Recent DC Specific Honors
It's worth noting that DC has had a rough winter. Just last month, flags were lowered for Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, a National Guard member who was tragically killed in the District. While that specific mourning period has ended, it added to a general feeling of flags being "perpetually low" lately.
If you see a flag at half-staff at a specific DC police station or a firehouse today, it might also be for a "Line of Duty" death that hasn't hit the national news cycle yet. Local departments have the authority to honor their own.
How to Stay Updated on Flag Status
If you're a business owner or just a patriotic resident, keeping track of this is kinda a chore. The best way is to sign up for alerts from the Office of the President or check the official DC Governor's (Mayor's) office website.
Most people just look at what the post office is doing. That’s a safe bet. If the post office has their flag down, you probably should too.
Next Steps for You:
If you are flying a flag at home or for your business, you should keep it at half-staff until sunset on January 28, 2026, to remain in compliance with the national proclamation for President Carter. If you are in New Jersey or Kansas, check your local state executive orders, as there are specific local tributes ending at sunset today that may allow you to return to full-staff sooner for state-level displays.