After much back and forth from the Trump administration, the Pentagon announced a new policy on Friday which will essentially place a ban on having the Confederate flag fly at all U.S. military installations.
What We Know:
- The policy’s abrupt creation may mark another win for those protesting for change in the past couple months, but may invoke anger in some, such as President Donald Trump. His administration has been reluctant to administer the removal or change of Confederate symbols.
- The policy was approved by Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on Thursday, but is worded to the extent that it doesn’t specifically mention the word ban or Confederate flag. What it does clearly state is that the current American flag is the “principal flag we are authorized and encouraged to display”.
- Esper explained the policy change in a Twitter memo on Friday, such as saying “The flags we fly must accord with the military imperatives of good order and discipline, treating all our people with dignity and respect, and rejecting divisive symbols.”
“With this change in policy, we will further improve the morale, cohesion, and readiness of the force in defense of our great nation,” the statement added.
- A list of acceptable flags that were mentioned in the memo include all U.S. and state banners, flags of other allies and partners, the POW/MIA flag and official military unit flags.
- The past two months have seen a rising distaste over Confederate symbols such as flags, monuments and military base names since the death of George Floyd. Protesters have actively targeted these symbols in multiple cities. Some state comply with demands, while others face critical opposition.
- According to POLITICO last month, both Esper and Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy were open minded on renaming military bases, but President Trump strongly opposed. Trump’s recurring argument with all confederate symbols have made it an issue of free speech.
Moreover, the Marine Corps has already banned the Confederate flag early last month. General David Berger, the commandant of the Marine Corps, directed his commanders to remove any and all public displays of the infamous Confederate battle flag symbol.
