The U.S. State Department has adopted a new policy under the Trump administration that limits flags flown at U.S. embassies and outposts, a report revealed Tuesday.
The "One Flag Policy" order, obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, allows only the American flag to be displayed at U.S. facilities worldwide. Exceptions include the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) emblem and the Wrongful Detainees Flag.
"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 memo states. "The flag of the United States of America unites all Americans under the universal principles of justice, liberty, and democracy."
The policy follows years of controversy under the Biden administration over flying Pride and Black Lives Matter flags. These debates highlighted the stark divisions between Democrats and Republicans.
Former President Joe Biden faced criticism for displaying the Pride flag outside the White House in 2023. A leaked State Department memo from 2021 encouraging Black Lives Matter flags also drew GOP backlash.
In 2023, GOP lawmakers introduced the "One Flag for All Act." This bill sought to ban flags other than the American flag from being flown on federal buildings, with limited exceptions.
Pride flags first appeared at U.S. embassies under President Barack Obama. The Trump administration banned them in 2019, but the Biden administration reinstated their use in 2021.
By March 2024, a $1.2 trillion spending package signed by Biden prohibited flying Pride flags outside embassies, signaling a policy reversal.
President Donald Trump has pledged significant changes at the State Department. His team plans to install officials aligned with his foreign policy vision from day one.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, was confirmed unanimously on Tuesday, signaling a swift start to this new agenda.