Esper’s Flag Policy Bans Confederate, Rainbow Flags

Esper’s Flag Policy Bans Confederate, Rainbow Flags

By Tobias Naegele

The Defense Department banned the display of unapproved flags in a new policy issued July 16. The change effectively blocks display of controversial flags such as the battle flag of the Army of Northern Virginia—better known as the “Confederate Flag”—as well as rainbow flags used to express gay pride. Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper established the policy in a memo to the service Secretaries and other military and defense leaders, and mentions only those flags that are permissible, including national, state, territory flags; official military and unit flags; the POW/MIA flag, and a few others. He never mentioned the confederate symbol.

By Tobias Naegele

The Defense Department banned the display of unapproved flags in a new policy issued July 16. The change effectively blocks display of controversial flags such as the battle flag of the Army of Northern Virginia—better known as the “Confederate Flag”—as well as rainbow flags used to express gay pride. Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper established the policy in a memo to the service Secretaries and other military and defense leaders, and mentions only those flags that are permissible, including national, state, territory flags; official military and unit flags; the POW/MIA flag, and a few others. He never mentioned the confederate symbol.