President Trump’s State Department issued a “one flag policy” on Tuesday, dictating that only the Stars and Stripes can be flown at U.S. outposts and embassies at home and abroad. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued the order shortly after Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony.
New Policy
This order prohibits U.S. facilities from displaying flags of any affiliation other than the U.S. flag. whose flags flew over U.S. government buildings at home and abroad, including the White House, during the Biden administration.
The order states that starting immediately, only the United States of America flag is authorized to be flown or displayed at U.S. facilities, both domestic and abroad.
The United States of America flag united all Americans under the universal principles of justice, liberty, and democracy. These values, which are the bedrock of our great country, are shared by all American citizens, past and present.
Violation
Additionally, any State Department employee who violates this new policy will “face disciplinary action, including termination of employment or contract, or reassignment to their home agency.” However, the only other flags permitted to fly are the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) emblem and the Wrongful Detainees Flag.
Previous Administration
Under the Biden administration, numerous flags were seen flying at government buildings, among them the BLM flag and the LGBTQ+ flag.
Rubio commented that 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, domestically and abroad.
