The U.S. Department of State has issued a directive banning consular posts from displaying any flags other than the U.S. flag, as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to limit diversity initiatives in government institutions.
A cable, titled “One flag policy,” which was reviewed by the Guardian, seems to address instances during the Biden administration when pride and Black Lives Matter flags were raised at U.S. embassies overseas.
Pride flags were also displayed at the White House during a 2023 Pride month event on the south lawn, which drew criticism from conservatives.
The memo stated, “Effective immediately, only the flag of the United States of America is permitted to be flown or displayed at U.S. facilities, both domestically and internationally, as well as in U.S. government materials.”
The memo allowed exceptions only for the POW/MIA flag and the flag for hostages and wrongful detainees.
This decision follows a series of White House executive orders issued on Trump’s first day in office, which called for the suspension of federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, as well as a decree affirming the existence of only two sexes, challenging the legal recognition of non-binary individuals.
