Only the president of the United States or a governor of a state possesses the legal authority to order flags to fly at half-staff. The flag remains at half-staff for a certain amount of days, based on the circumstances of the deaths and individuals involved, notes the U.S. Flag Code.Continue Reading
The president of the United States orders flags at half-staff upon the death of a principal member of the federal government or a governor of a state or U.S. territory, notes the U.S. Flag Code. The president honors other fallen officials or foreign dignitaries in the same manner.
A governor of a state orders flags at half-staff in recognition of the passing of a present or former official of that state. The same authority extends to governors of territories or other possessions of the United States, notes the U.S. Flag Code.
The U.S. Flag Code establishes the amount of time that flags are flown at half-staff.Learn more about Law