Speaker Johnson Cites Historical Precedent in Denial — On February 20, 2026, House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office formally refused the Jackson family’s petition to place Rev. Jesse Jackson’s casket in the Capitol Rotunda, invoking long‑standing practice that limits the honor to former presidents, senior military leaders and a handful of top officials [1][2]. The decision required concurrence from both the House and Senate, a procedural hurdle that has blocked recent requests for activist Charlie Kirk and former Vice President Dick Cheney, as well as the most recent presidential honor for Jimmy Carter [1][2]. Johnson emphasized that the ruling was “based on precedent, not partisanship,” reinforcing the narrow criteria historically applied to the Rotunda [2].

Jackson’s Death Triggers Nationwide Tributes and Multi‑City Memorials — Rev. Jesse Jackson died at age 84 earlier this week, prompting statements of admiration from across the political spectrum, including President Donald Trump calling him a “good man” [2]. The family arranged a week‑long series of services: a lie‑in‑repose at the Rainbow PUSH headquarters in Chicago, followed by formal ceremonies in South Carolina and Washington, D.C., with concluding memorials scheduled for March 6‑7 in Chicago [1][2]. Despite the Capitol denial, the Rotunda plan was replaced by these public observances, allowing supporters to pay respects in multiple locations [1].

Rotunda Honors Remain Exceptionally Rare for Private Citizens — The Architect of the Capitol notes that the Rotunda is reserved for “most eminent citizens,” a designation applied to only a few private individuals such as Rosa Parks (2005), Billy Graham (2018) and Rep. John Lewis (2020), the latter being the first Black lawmaker to lie in state [1]. No formal rule codifies the eligibility, leaving decisions to congressional leadership and precedent, which has consistently excluded most civil‑rights activists [1][2]. Consequently, Jackson’s request joins a short list of denied honors, underscoring the exclusivity of the Rotunda ceremony.