Proclamation 9556-Returning the Flag of the United States to Full-Staff
Issued 2016-12-16 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
On December 16, 2016, President Obama issued a proclamation ordering that the American flag be returned to full-staff at federal locations. The proclamation directed that flags be flown at full-staff beginning at sunset on December 17, 2016, at the White House, all public buildings and grounds, military posts, naval stations, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories. The order also applied to U.S. embassies, consular offices, and military facilities abroad.
This action affected how flags were displayed at all federal government properties and facilities, both within the United States and at American installations around the world. The proclamation ended a period during which flags had been flying at half-staff, returning them to their normal position.
The proclamation invoked "the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America." Presidents have traditionally issued proclamations to direct flag displays, and such proclamations carry legal force when based on authority granted by Congress. This type of ceremonial directive is a routine presidential function used to mark national observances and periods of mourning.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This proclamation issues "Proclamation 9556-Returning the Flag of the United States to Full-Staff". The stated purpose: "ull-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and ..." Presidents have issued proclamations since George Washington, and they carry the force of law when grounded in specific statutory authority delegated by Congress. Proclamations can be ceremonial (expressing national sentiment) or substantive (exercising delegated trade, immigration, or emergency powers).
The legal weight of this proclamation depends on the specific statutory authority it invokes. Without statutory backing, a proclamation is merely an expression of executive policy with no binding legal effect on citizens. With statutory backing, it can create enforceable rules — but those rules must stay within the scope of what Congress authorized.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Proclamation 9556—Returning the Flag of the United States to Full-Staff December 16, 2016 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation By the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at full-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions beginning at sunset, December 17, 2016. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at full-staff on such day at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-first. B ARACK O BAMA [Filed with the Office of the Fed