American flag Archives

California joins GOP-led states in raising US flags for Trump inauguration

January 17, 2025

California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is joining Republican-led states in raising American flags to full height for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony. Flags have been ordered at half-staff across the U.S. to honor the late President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29.

The standard period for lowering flags in honor of a deceased president is 30 days, under an Eisenhower-era proclamation setting the length of the honor. However, Trump expressed his desire to have flags raised for the inauguration, and fellow Republicans supported the move.

Trump posted on Truth Social, writing, “The Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ‘half mast’ during my inauguration. They think it’s so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they don’t love our country … Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it.”

Newsom’s office confirmed that flags will be raised to full height on Monday, Jan. 20, making California the first Democrat-led state to do so.

States raising American flag to full height for Inauguration Day:

California.
Idaho.
North Dakota.
Florida.
Alabama.
Tennessee.
Iowa.
Texas.

California joins a list of GOP-led states that are raising the American flag to honor Trump becoming the 47th president.

On Tuesday, Jan. 14, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also announced that flags at the U.S. Capitol will fly at full staff on Monday, Jan. 20, and be lowered Tuesday, Jan. 21, to continue honoring former President Carter.

US urges American citizens to leave Syria amid violence and terrorism

December 16, 2024

The United States urged Americans in Syria to leave the country on Monday, Dec. 16, after the fall of the Assad regime earlier this month. The U.S. government warned the situation in Syria has become “volatile” and “unpredictable” with acts of violence and “terrorism” in the aftermath of a bloody civil war.

The U.S. instructed citizens unable to get out to “be prepared to shelter in place” for long periods. Officials added the U.S. government can “not provide any routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Syria.”

The United States also noted the U.S. Embassy in Damascus suspended its operations in 2012 and advised American citizens to contact the “U.S. Embassy in the country they plan to enter.”

Dictator Bashar Assad’s rule ended just over a week ago. He has been reportedly granted asylum in Moscow after he was overthrown by Syrian rebels.

The warning to Americans also comes as a more widespread conflict plays out.

Israeli airstrikes targeting missile warehouses along Syria’s coast rocked the region on Monday in what officials called the “most violent strikes” in more than a decade.

While rebels control much of Syria, the territory remains divided among different militant groups backed by foreign countries, including the United States and Turkey.

Patriotic protests at Oklahoma high school after students American flag ban

August 28, 2024

Lawmakers are calling for changes in Oklahoma over a high school student and an American flag. It stems from a decision during the week of Aug. 18, in which the student was told to stop flying the flag on his truck.

The decision prompted a wave of protests outside of Edmond North High School. Students, parents and members of the public are proudly displaying American flags in support of the student, including Oklahoma’s State Superintendent Ryan Walters.

Caleb Horst, a senior at the school, said he’s baffled by its decision to ban the flag on his truck. Especially because he’s been flying it for some time. Horst spoke to an Oklahoma City ABC affiliate and shared his thoughts on the incident.

Since speaking out, there’s been a surge of support, some also coming from local lawmakers. Many are demanding that the school’s decision be overturned.

The Edmond Public School District said its policy prohibits any flags on vehicles to prevent disruptions and ensure safety in the school parking lot. Still, that explanation hasn’t calmed community backlash.

Superintendent Walters is vowing to amend the guidelines for all public schools in the state. He posted a video on X, stating his stance that no school in Oklahoma should restrict a student from flying the American flag.

The protest in Edmond has even caught the attention of “Dukes of Hazard” star John Schneider, who posted a video applauding Horst’s efforts.

The district said it will handle any discipline on a case-by-case basis. And despite the growing support for Horst, the school district is holding firm on its policy and threatening disciplinary action if Horst does not comply.

Horst said he plans to continue his fight and is touched by the overwhelming community support.

How a new bill will make American flags a little more American-made

July 29, 2024

U.S. members of Congress recently passed the All-American Flag Act, which will require every American flag purchased by the United States federal government to be manufactured in the United States and use only American-made materials. On Monday, July 29, the sponsors of the bill, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio said that they expected to President Joe Biden to sign the legislation into law soon.

Currently, the United States imports millions of flags from overseas and federal rules require only that the federal government buy flags that are made up of half of U.S.-made materials.

The Associated Press reported that in 2017, the United States imported around 10 million American flags and 99.5% came from China. The figures uncovered include all American flags imported into the United States and not just those that were purchased by the federal government.

Sens. Collins and Brown have tried for several years to pass legislation requiring the United States government purchase only flags made in America and made with U.S-made materials.

Illinois bill would make flying US flag upside down a felony

June 21, 2024

Democratic Illinois State Rep. Harry Benton, a veteran, has introduced a pair of bills in the Illinois Legislature aimed at addressing the practice of flying the American flag upside down. HB5860 would make it a felony for any government official to knowingly fly an American flag upside down on government property. Meanwhile, HB5861 proposes imposing a fine of up to $25,000 on such government officials.

Recent headlines have highlighted this issue, with reports accusing Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito of hanging the flag upside down at his personal residence in 2021. However, Alito is not the only one drawing attention.

The legislation comes in the wake of Homer Township Supervisor Steve Balich, R, flying the American flag union-side down outside of the official administration center.

Balich’s action occurred on May 31, one day after former President Donald Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in a New York courtroom.

“As Americans, no matter which political party you support, we should be outraged and very concerned,” Balich said in a statement. “Yesterday, I temporarily flew our nation’s flag upside down. Flying the flag upside down represents distress, and I truly believe that our country is in distress and our Constitution is under attack.”

“The flag of the United States is an enduring symbol of our national spirit and pride, as well as the sacrifices made by every generation of Americans,” State Rep. Harry Benton, D, said in response. “As elected leaders, we swear our oath to that flag and the nation it represents, not to a political leader. There’s no excuse for such disrespect of our flag and the men and women who served to defend it.”

Currently, there is no federal law restricting government officials from flying the American flag upside down on government property. The proposed legislation does not address personal property.

If the bills pass the Illinois Legislature and are signed into law, they would take effect immediately. Violating the law could result in government officials facing up to three years in prison.

California joins GOP-led states in raising US flags for Trump inauguration

States raising American flag to full height for Inauguration Day:

US urges American citizens to leave Syria amid violence and terrorism

Patriotic protests at Oklahoma high school after students American flag ban

How a new bill will make American flags a little more American-made

Illinois bill would make flying US flag upside down a felony

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