House Republicans have come forward this week with the introduction of the Old Glory Only Act by Rep. Jeff Duncan of South Carolina, in order to push back against what they see as a politicization of US embassies under the Biden administration. This proposed legislation would prevent any flags other than the American flag from flying above US diplomatic and consular posts.
This act was brought about due to the Biden administration allowing pride flags and Black Lives Matter flags to be flown from US embassies, a practice that began in 2014 under President Obama for the pride flag at embassies in over a dozen countries including Russia, Spain, Sweden and South Korea. The BLM flag has been flown at embassies in Brazil, Greece, Spain, Bosnia, Cambodia and South Korea.
Secretary Mike Pompeo had previously banned these flags from being flown but his decision was reversed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in April 2021 who gave permission for embassies to fly rainbow pride flags leading up to International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Blinken’s decision was followed by a further announcement indicating support for allowing Black Lives Matter flags to be flown on George Floyd’s death anniversary.
This decision has led to criticism from Republicans claiming that flying anything other than the American flag is a political statement that should not be made through official US embassies. While similar legislation had been proposed by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York earlier in 2021 it did not pass due to lack of support from both parties. This time around Republicans are hopeful that with new GOP leadership there will be sufficient backing for a vote on this latest bill which aims to ensure that only Old Glory flys over diplomatic and consular posts worldwide as representations of our shared values and ideals as Americans.
