State Watch

Why US flags are flying at half-staff on Friday, and the proper way to lower yours

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by Addy Bink - 05/14/26 11:59 AM ET

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by Addy Bink - 05/14/26 11:59 AM ET

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(NEXSTAR) – If you fly an American flag in your yard or outside your business, you’ll want to lower it to half-staff on Friday.

Flags can be flown at half-staff for any number of reasons, usually to honor a figure after their death or on specific holidays.

Governors can order the flags in their states to be flown at half-staff for similar reasons. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, for example, issued such an order for Friday in honor of an Omaha native who was killed in World War II. His remains were identified last year, and an internment will be held on Friday.

Flags across the country are set to fly at half-staff for a different reason.

In an order released Monday, President Trump called for all flags to be lowered on Friday in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day. The day is meant to honor those serving in law enforcement and those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Peace Officers Memorial Day falls within Police Week, an annual observation in May to “honor the courage, sacrifice and dedication of law enforcement officers.”

As part of Peace Officers Memorial Day, the annual memorial service will be held outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Friday. The event focuses on officers who recently died, but all fallen officers are honored.

U.S. flags (and the flags flying near them, including state flags) are expected to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday.

Per U.S. Code, anyone lowering the flag should first hoist it “to the peak for an instant and then [lower it] to the half-staff position.” Before it is lowered for the day, it “should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.”

Barring any additional orders from Trump or state governors, flags will again fly at half-staff — albeit briefly — on Memorial Day.

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