Staff Reports
The latest episode in the never-ending saga of American cultural skirmishes has unfolded, and this time, it comes bearing the banner of patriotism. Former President Donald Trump has kicked off his new “One Flag Policy,” a masterstroke purportedly designed to restore national unity by banning flags that some might label as “woke.” This new directive insists that only the good ol’ American flag, alongside official government flags, shall fly on U.S. government properties. The message is clear: if it’s not red, white, and blue, it doesn’t belong on the flagpole.
The brain behind this audacious policy is none other than recently confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The directive serves as a not-so-gentle nudge toward respect for the American flag, and supporters are all in, claiming it rescues patriotism from the clutches of identity politics. Detractors, however, are clutching their pearls over fears it smothers LGBTQ inclusivity. Notably, the policy has the added bonus of obliterating the display of flags associated with movements like Black Lives Matter, which could very well be filed under “Things That Don’t Represent All Americans.”
Under Trump’s 'One Flag Policy,' Only Old Glory Takes the Spotlight https://t.co/X7tNNWQZgS
— Lois Levine Fishman (@FishmanLevine) January 26, 2025
According to the order, there are two exceptions allowed: the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag and a flag for wrongful detainees—a clear indication that true American values encompass sacrifice and the pursuit of justice, rather than what many consider to be the petty grievances of contemporary social movements. The order explicitly states that from now on, U.S. government facilities will proudly wave Old Glory, both at home and abroad, effectively telling all those other flags to sit down and take a backseat.
The enforcement of this policy isn’t just a suggestion; it’s about as serious as a government mandate gets. Any State Department employee who dares to stray from the path of allegiance to the American flag can expect a rude awakening—think disciplinary actions including termination or reassignment. It seems that under Trump’s leadership, there will be little room for any flag-flying shenanigans that veer away from the pillars of patriotism.
Contrast this with the Biden administration’s flag-flying antics, where pride flags were hoisted high at U.S. embassies, including a spectacle in Nassau to honor LGBTQ rights. The former administration also had the audacity to raise the Black Lives Matter flag in Brazil to celebrate Black History Month. Such displays may have seemed noble in intent, but Trump’s “One Flag Policy” boldly declares that the focus must return to what unites, rather than what divides. In a world filled with competing ideologies, it seems Trump still knows that nothing gets the conservative heart racing quite like a single, unwavering flag on a sunny day.
