You’re driving to work or walking the dog and you see it. That stars-and-stripes banner sitting halfway down the pole. It’s a somber sight that immediately makes you wonder what happened. Honestly, it’s one of those things that usually hits you with a bit of a "gut check" because flags don't just drop for no reason.
If you’re seeing the flag at half-staff today, January 16, 2026, the answer depends largely on where you are standing, though there are a couple of major reasons impacting large swaths of the country right now.
The big reason: Congressman Dick Zimmer
If you are in New Jersey, or even just passing through, the reason for the lowered flags is specific and deeply personal to the Garden State. Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 412, which officially directs both the U.S. and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff starting today, Friday, January 16, through sunset tomorrow, January 17.
This is to honor Richard Alan “Dick” Zimmer, a former U.S. Congressman who recently passed away. Zimmer wasn't just a face in a suit; he was a Yale Law grad who spent decades in the trenches of public service. He served in the New Jersey Assembly, the State Senate, and eventually represented the 12th Congressional District for three terms in the 90s.
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Governor Murphy pointed to Zimmer’s work on fiscal responsibility and child safety—specifically his role in advancing Megan’s Law—as reasons for the honor. When a public figure with that much history passes, the flag goes down to signal a collective "thank you" from the state.
National and regional alerts to watch
While the New Jersey order is a major driver today, other states have their own protocols in motion. This is where it gets a little complicated. Sometimes the President orders a national lowering, and other times it's strictly a state-level thing handled by the Governor.
- Arizona: You might still see flags low here. Governor Katie Hobbs recently ordered flags at state buildings to stay at half-staff to honor former Attorney General Mark Brnovich, who served two terms and was a fixture in Arizona law enforcement.
- The Dick Cheney Proclamation: There has been ongoing movement regarding the passing of former Vice President Dick Cheney. In many states, including Missouri (ordered by Governor Mike Kehoe) and Minnesota (Governor Tim Walz), flags have been ordered to remain at half-staff until the day of interment. If his funeral or burial is coinciding with today in certain jurisdictions, that’s your answer.
- Federal Buildings: Sometimes the President issues a "blanket" order. Earlier this month, there were orders for Congressman Doug LaMalfa, but those generally have specific end-dates.
What most people get wrong about flag protocol
There’s this weird misconception that anyone can just lower a flag because they feel like it. Not true. Well, you can do whatever you want on your private lawn, I guess, but official "half-staff" status is a legal thing.
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The U.S. Flag Code is basically the rulebook for this. Only the President or a Governor can officially order the flags to be lowered.
When you see a flag at half-staff, it’s not just "sadness." It’s a specific period of mourning. For a sitting President, the flags stay down for 30 days. For a Vice President or a Chief Justice, it's 10 days. For a member of Congress like Dick Zimmer, it’s usually just a day or two—often on the day of their death or the day of their funeral.
Why it actually matters
It’s easy to look at a piece of cloth on a pole and think it’s just a tradition for history buffs. But in 2026, where everything feels so fast and digital, these physical symbols still carry weight.
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Basically, it's a "stop and think" moment. When Governor Murphy orders the flags down for Zimmer, he’s asking the public to acknowledge a career spent in the statehouse and the Capitol. It’s a way of marking time.
Quick Checklist: How to know for sure
- Check your Governor's website. This is the fastest way. They usually post "Executive Orders" or "Flag Alerts" right on the homepage.
- Look at the building. Is it a post office or a courthouse? If it’s a federal building, the reason is likely national. If it’s a local school or town hall, it could be a state-specific mourning period.
- The "Sunset" Rule. Almost every proclamation ends "at sunset." If you see the flag go back up tomorrow morning, you know the mourning period for that specific individual has concluded.
If you want to stay on top of this, you should sign up for flag status email alerts from your state’s Secretary of State. It sounds nerdy, but it’s actually pretty helpful to know why the neighborhood feels a little quieter before you even leave the house. For today, if you're near the East Coast, take a second to think about the public servants who spend decades in those offices—it's a tough job, regardless of which side of the aisle they sat on.
Next Steps for You:
Check your local municipal website or the official New Jersey Governor's newsroom to see the specific timing for the flag raising tomorrow evening. If you are a business owner, remember that while you aren't legally required to follow gubernatorial flag orders, it is considered proper etiquette to lower your flags in solidarity with the official proclamation.