The Trump administration has prohibited Pride and Black Lives Matter flags from being flown at the State Department and American buildings worldwide, mandating that only the U.S. flag be displayed, according to a report by the Washington Free Beacon.
The directive states: “Effective immediately, only the United States of America flag is authorized to be flown or displayed at U.S. facilities, both domestically and abroad, and featured in U.S. government content.”
The policy emphasizes that the U.S. flag symbolizes unity under the principles of justice, liberty, and democracy—values shared by all Americans, past and present.
The State Department clarified that the decision was made to honor and respect the American flag. “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,” the order stated.
Two exceptions were included: State Department facilities may still display the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag and the Wrongful Detainees flag.
Employees who fail to comply with the policy risk disciplinary action, including termination, contract revocation, or reassignment to their home agency.
Previously, Pride flag displays outside State Department facilities were banned under a $1.2 trillion spending package signed by President Joe Biden in March, which prohibited the use of allocated funds to fly or display flags other than the U.S. flag.
The new policy ensures the continuation of this restriction beyond the expiration of the spending package.
