The Trump administration has introduced a new “One Flag Policy,” that effectively blocks all State Department buildings from flying Pride and Black Lives Matter flags, but only the American flag. This rule applies to U.S. State Department facilities both domestically and abroad, banning any other flags from being displayed on these government grounds, a report said Tuesday.
The policy, issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio after his confirmation on the night of Monday, Jan. 20, is a reversal from the Biden administration.
Under Biden, U.S. Embassies raised flags such as the Pride flag during Pride Month in 2021 and the Black Lives Matter flag in 2022 during Black History Month. These instances would no longer be allowed under the Trump administration’s new directive, regardless of the issue or politics.
“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,” according to the order, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Free Beacon.
President Donald Trump’s Inauguration Speech (Full Transcript)
The policy states that the U.S. flag represents unity for all Americans and is meant to show “respect” for the American flag. The only exceptions to the rule are the “Prisoner of War/Missing in Action” (POW/MIA) emblem and the “Wrongful Detainees” flag, which can still be flown at State Department facilities.
Last modified: January 23, 2025
