Key Takeaways:
– House Speaker Mike Johnson planned to raise the flags at the U.S. Capitol building to full staff for Donald Trump’s inauguration.
– The cords on the flagpoles are frozen, making the flag-raising difficult.
– The flags had been lowered to mourn former President Jimmy Carter’s death.
– The decision to raise the flags was made after Trump’s complaint over the flag’s lowered position during his second inauguration.
– With the current temperature in Washington D.C. only 24 degrees, Trump moved his inauguration indoors to avoid the freezing weather.
The planned flying of flags at full staff to signify the pomp of Donald Trump’s inauguration has encountered an unforeseen hurdle. House Speaker, Mike Johnson, who had promised this symbolic gesture, now faces a cold interference. Literally.
The Icy Dilemma
The flags, atop the notable United States Capitol building, are stuck at half-mast. The culprit? Our everyday winter villain – cold temperatures. The dip in the mercury column resulted in freezing the cords attached to the flagpoles, making it difficult to raise the flags to full staff as planned.
Continued Tributes, and A Displeased Trump
Originally, the flags were lowered to a halfway position as a mark of respect for former President Jimmy Carter. Mr. Carter, a respected statesman and Nobel Peace prize laureate, passed away last year at the ripe old age of 100.
However, the sight of flags at half staff wasn’t quite the welcome Trump expected for his second inauguration. Voicing his concerns about the flags being less than fully raised, Trump indicated a preference for a more triumphant display. Responding to this, House Speaker Mike Johnson had made an announcement. The flags would greet the inauguration day dawn at full height on January 20th.
An Indoor Inauguration and Current Temperatures
As luck and weather would have it, however, the cold temperatures continued their assault on the D.C. area. As we report, the temperature sits snugly at a chilly 24 degrees, proving a potent obstacle for flag-raising. In fact, the cold has had an effect on more than just the flagpoles.
Trump, himself, at the receiving end of winter’s icy touch, decided to move his inauguration indoors. With frozen flag cords and frosty weather, an inside celebration presents itself as a more comfortable choice. Leaving the bone-chilling cold outside certainly throws a more attractive picture to those involved in the ceremony.
In conclusion, while House Speaker Mike Johnson had promised to hoist the flags at full staff for Donald Trump’s inauguration, mother nature had different plans. The cold temperatures have put a temporary freeze on these intentions. With the weather causing general discomfort and hindering outdoor preparations, Trump’s inauguration will be celebrated indoors. As for the flags, they remain at half-mast, continuing their tribute to former President Jimmy Carter, making their own icy statement in the frosty D.C. skies.