WASHINGTON — President Trump's State Department said Tuesday it's time to be proud of the Stars and Stripes again.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday banned the display of any flag other than the Stars and Stripes on State Department facilities, from domestic buildings to foreign outposts, and banned gay pride and Black Lives Matter flags from being used by the U.S. government. The left wing, which had been displayed on a building, was struck. washington free beacon reported.
“Beginning immediately, only the U.S. flag may be flown or displayed on U.S. facilities domestically or abroad, and may be featured in U.S. government content,” Rubio's order said, according to a copy obtained by the newspaper. There is.
“The flag of the United States unites all Americans under the universal principles of justice, freedom, and democracy. These values, past and present, are the foundation of our great nation. shared by all Americans.”
Trump's new State Department said in the order that the decision was made to “pay homage” to the American flag.
“The American flag is a powerful symbol of pride, and it is appropriate and respectful to fly and display only the American flag on American facilities at home and abroad.”
However, there are two exceptions to this rule. State Department facilities may continue to display the POW/MIA Flag and the Unlawful Detainer Flag.
The executive order states that State Department employees who violate the Trump administration's policies “face disciplinary action, including termination of employment or contract, or reassignment to their home agency.”
The display of Pride flags outside State Department facilities was previously prohibited under the $1.2 trillion spending package that President Biden signed in March, which states that “appropriated or made available by this Act.'' No such funds shall be used to obligate or expend the display or display of the Pride Flag.'' U.S. Department of State facility. ”
The new policy ensures that this situation remains even after that spending package expires.
Flying the Pride flag at U.S. embassies has been a topic of debate between Democrats and Republicans for years. They were first flown at the US Embassy during the Obama administration before being banned by the first Trump administration in 2019.
This capability was reinstated by the Biden administration in 2021.
The Senate introduced a bill last year that would make the so-called “One Flag Policy” the law of the land for all federal buildings. Mr. Rubio was not a co-sponsor, but Vice President J.D. Vance, then an Ohio senator, was one of the bill's eight Republican sponsors.
The State Department did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment.
