WASHINGTON — Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has denied a request for the late Rev. Jesse Jackson to lie in honor in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
A Matter of Precedent
The practice of lying in state or honor in the Capitol is typically reserved for America’s most distinguished individuals. A GOP leadership source stated the decision to deny the request was based on precedent, reserving the honor for former presidents, military leaders and other top government officials.
Recent requests for former Vice President Dick Cheney and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk to lie in honor were also denied. However, the Capitol Rotunda has previously hosted the remains of private citizens, including civil rights leader Rosa Parks in 2005, Capitol Police officers following shootings in 1998 and after the January 6th attack, and the Rev. Billy Graham in 2018.
Typically, both the House speaker and the Senate majority leader must approve a request for someone to lie in state or honor in the rotunda, followed by a concurrent resolution passed by both chambers.
Rev. Jesse Jackson rose to prominence during the Civil Rights Movement, participating in demonstrations alongside Martin Luther King Jr. He ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in both 1984 and 1988, without success. His legacy continues through his sons, former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., who is again running for Congress, and current Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill.
Reaction to the Decision
The decision prompted criticism from Black leaders. NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson stated that Speaker Johnson’s actions demonstrate a “gross disregard for our Constitution and our democracy.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between lying in state and lying in honor?
The practice of lying in state is typically reserved for deceased presidents and other high-ranking government officials, while lying in honor is generally bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation but do not hold those official positions.
Who makes the decision about whether someone can lie in honor?
Typically, both the House speaker and the Senate majority leader would demand to sign off on any request for someone to lie in state or honor in the rotunda. A concurrent resolution would then need to be passed by both chambers.
Have private citizens been honored in the Capitol Rotunda before?
Yes, a handful of private citizens have lain in honor in the Capitol Rotunda, including civil rights leader Rosa Parks in 2005, Capitol Police officers, and the Rev. Billy Graham.
As the nation reflects on the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson, what criteria should guide decisions about who receives the honor of lying in repose within the halls of American democracy?
