President Donald Trump has seemingly imposed a ban on the Black Lives Matter and Pride flags shortly after assuming the presidency.
Starting his term with significant actions, Trump has signed 25 executive orders. These include reversing the TikTok ban, changing immigration laws, and asserting that ‘there are only two genders’ in America.
His latest target appears to be two flags symbolizing certain communities within the country.
Under the State Department’s ‘one flag policy,’ as reported by The Washington Free Beacon, US embassies and overseas missions are prohibited from flying the Pride or BLM flags.
This policy allows for only three other flags, apart from the US national flag, to be displayed: the Prisoner of War, the Missing in Action, and the Hostage of Wrongful Detainee flags.
The Beacon noted the directive, stating: “Starting immediately, only the United States of America flag is authorized to be flown or displayed at U.S. facilities, both domestic and abroad, and featured in U.S. government content.”
The Senate unanimously confirmed the order on Monday, January 20, with a 99-0 vote.
Historically, these flags have been displayed at official US premises, such as when the US Embassy and Consulate in Brazil raised the Black Lives Matter flag in February 2022 for Black History Month.
Similarly, US embassies in Trinidad and Tobago have also raised these flags.
The Pride flag has also been flown at notable locations, including the White House and the US embassy in Moscow.
In 2021, the US Embassy in Nassau displayed the rainbow flag throughout June, and in May 2023, the Latvian Embassy in Riga did the same for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.
This directive originated from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who wrote: “The U.S. flag is a powerful symbol of pride and it is fitting and respectful that only the U.S. flag be flown or displayed at U.S. facilities, both domestically and abroad.”
Kevin Jennings, CEO of Lambda Legal, expressed to Newsweek that the ban on the Pride and other flags is ‘petty and mean-spirited’.
He remarked: “Flying such flags is simply a signal to people that they matter. It hurts no one. We have much bigger challenges to address as a nation and this is just a small-minded distraction from them.”
According to The Beacon, the policy enforces strict compliance and warns against flying the banned flags.
State Department employees who violate this policy could face disciplinary actions, including termination, contract cancellation, or reassignment, although additional penalties remain unclear.
Social media users have reacted negatively to this order.
One commented: “It’s a human rights violation. The UN will deal with it.”
Another user claimed: “Seems like the government banning free expression.”