Request for Jesse Jackson to lie in honor in Capitol Rotunda denied by Mike Johnson

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office has denied a request for the late Rev Jesse Jackson to lie in honor at the United States Capitol Rotunda.

Per the Associated Press, Johnson’s office said it had received the request from Jackson’s family to have his remains lie in honor in the Rotunda, however, the office denied the request due to the space typically being reserved for former presidents, military members, and select officials.

Jackson’s death was announced on Tuesday, with the civil rights leader being 84. The Jackson family said in a statement, "Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world. We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family. His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by."

There is no specific rule about who can lie in honor at the Capitol, with the House and Senate being required to only reach a concurrence. Other high-profile figures also have been denied the appearance, including Charlie Kirk and former Vice President Dick Cheney.

The move was criticized by Democrats, with civil rights activist Maya Wiley writing, "A national disgrace & yet a other aggressive denial of even a pretense that Black people deserve to recognized for our contributions or Black history worthy of celebration! We won’t be erased. Rev Jesse Jackson taught us better than that!"

At an event on Wednesday, Trump said of Jackson, "He was a piece of work, but he was a good man. He was a real hero, and I just want to pay my highest respects to Reverend Jesse Jackson."