President Donald Trump has issued a controversial executive order mandating that only the U.S. flag may be flown at federal government buildings worldwide, effectively banning the display of LGBTQ+ pride flags at U.S. embassies and other federal facilities. Announced on May 29, 2025, the directive has sparked intense debate, with supporters praising it as a return to national unity and critics condemning it as a targeted attack on the LGBTQ+ community’s visibility and rights. The order, which reverses previous policies allowing pride flags during June’s Pride Month, underscores Trump’s ongoing push to prioritize what he calls “American values” in federal operations.
The executive order specifies that no flags other than the U.S. flag, state flags, or those representing official government functions may be displayed at federal properties, including embassies, consulates, and military bases. Trump framed the decision as a move to ensure that government buildings remain symbols of national identity, arguing that “divisive” flags detract from unity. In a statement on Truth Social, he claimed the policy would “restore pride in the Stars and Stripes” and prevent foreign nations from viewing the U.S. as endorsing “special interest” agendas. The move aligns with Trump’s broader cultural agenda, which has often clashed with progressive values on issues like gender identity and diversity.
Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, swiftly condemned the order as discriminatory. Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson called it “a deliberate erasure of queer visibility,” noting that pride flags at embassies symbolized U.S. support for human rights globally. The 2021 policy under President Biden allowed pride flags to be flown alongside the U.S. flag, a practice seen as a diplomatic gesture in countries where LGBTQ+ rights are suppressed. The ban, critics argue, sends a chilling message to both domestic and international LGBTQ+ communities, particularly in nations where such rights are under threat. Senator Elizabeth Warren tweeted that the order “shames America on the world stage, signaling retreat from equality.”
Supporters, however, view the policy as a necessary correction. Conservative groups, including the Family Research Council, applauded Trump’s focus on national symbols, arguing that government buildings should not be platforms for social movements. They claim the pride flag’s presence at embassies confused diplomatic messaging and alienated allies with differing cultural values. Some Republican lawmakers echoed this, asserting that the U.S. flag alone represents all Americans, regardless of identity.
The order faces legal challenges, with civil rights groups preparing lawsuits claiming it violates First Amendment protections and equal protection principles. Legal experts, including ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt, argue that the selective ban on pride flags constitutes viewpoint discrimination. Meanwhile, the policy’s global impact is already evident, with reports of pride flags being removed from U.S. embassies in several countries. As the debate intensifies, the order highlights deep divisions over the role of federal institutions in promoting inclusivity versus national unity, setting the stage for a contentious legal and cultural battle.
