Are Sacramento institutions flying flags at half-staff to follow Trump’s order?
Flags in front of public institutions around California’s capital were flown at half-staff on Friday — the final workday of a week when Americans commemorated the 24th anniversary of 9/11 and when conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated at an event in Utah.
President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on Wednesday, the day Kirk was fatally shot while at Utah Valley University, ordering that the American flag be flown at half-staff on all public buildings and grounds across the U.S., it’s territories and embassies “(a)s a mark of respect for the memory of Charlie Kirk.” Trump stated that the order would be in effect until sunset Sunday.
On Friday, the flags in front of public schools in Elk Grove were flying at half-staff. District spokesperson Lori Wallace said they were following the president’s orders.
Former President Dwight Eisenhower helped formalize when flags are flown at half-staff with a proclamation on March 1, 1954. The order lists the public service positions, such as current or former officials or foreign dignitaries, which should be honored by lowering the flag along with the number of days it should remain at half-mast. he president may order half-staff display after tragic events.
The flag was also flying at half-staff in front of the federal building at 801 I St. An individual not authorized to speak to the media told The Sacramento Bee that supervisors had ordered the flag be flown at half-staff on Sept. 11 and directed further questions to the General Services Administration, which did not immediately respond to an email inquiry about why the flag was at half-staff.
The flag was half-staff at the state Capitol building. While the spokesperson for Capitol protection was not available on Friday, a person not authorized to speak for the agency said that the flag was flown at half-staff in accordance with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proclamation of Patriot Day in the state of California to commemorate 9/11.
“On Patriot Day, we remember and honor the lives lost in this tragedy, and the heroism of all the courageous first responders and civilians who rushed into harm’s way to help others,” Newsom’s order stated. “Today, we also pay tribute to the selfless individuals who answered the call to defend their fellow Americans, unified in grief and an unshakeable resolve to protect our freedoms and way of life.”
Newsom issued another announcement on Thursday saying that flags at the Capitol and the Capitol Annex Swing Space were being flown at half-staff to honor state prison Correctional Officer Jonathan Townsend, who died following a medical emergency while on duty.
Flags were also at half-staff in surrounding counties. They were lowered in front of the Yolo County Superior and the Woodland Police Department.
This story was originally published September 12, 2025 at 3:35 PM.
