President Donald Trump's State Department issued a "one flag policy" on Tuesday, dictating that only the Stars and Stripes can be flown at all U.S. outposts and embassies at home and abroad.
The order prohibits U.S. facilities from displaying flags affiliated with such movements as Black Lives Matter and Gay Pride, whose flags flew over U.S. government buildings at home and abroad, including the White House, during the Biden administration.
"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," stated the order, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Free Beacon.
"The flag of the United States of America 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."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued the order shortly after his swearing-in ceremony Tuesday, according to the Free Beacon. The memo is part of Trump's campaign promise to eliminate woke policies from the federal government, including those regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion and gender identity that were embraced by the Biden administration.
In his first day in office, Trump issued an executive order calling for the elimination of government DEI and environmental justice programs.
Another executive order he signed declared there are only two biological sexes, male and female. It directed federal agencies to issue government documents showing people's sex at conception, to stop using gender identity or preferred pronouns, and to maintain women-only spaces in prisons and shelters.
Also, the White House confirmed that U.S. federal employees working in diversity offices must be put on paid leave by Wednesday night as the new administration has ordered the programs shut.
The Biden White House allowed the State Department to fly an assortment of Pride flags alongside the Stars and Stripes, according to the Free Beacon. In June 2021, the U.S. embassy in Nassau, the Bahamas, raised the rainbow Pride flag as part of the U.S. government's official observance of Pride month.
Pride flags were also draped across the White House in June 2023 as the Biden administration celebrated Pride month with a party on the South Lawn. During that party, several transgender guests were caught posing topless.
The Biden administration also raised the Black Lives Matter flag at the U.S. embassy and consulates in Brazil to celebrate Black History Month in February 2022.
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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