The State Department implemented a “One Flag Policy,” preventing U.S. outposts from flying any flag other than the U.S. flag, according to an order obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
There are two exceptions to the policy: the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) emblem and the Wrongful Detainees Flag.
“Starting immediately, only the United States of America flag is authorized to be flown or displayed at U.S. facilities, both domestic and abroad, and featured in U.S. government content,” the order says. “The flag of the United States of America united all Americans under the universal principles of justice, liberty, and democracy. These values, which are the bedrock of our great country, are shared by all American citizens, past and present.”
State Department employees who violate the policy will “face disciplinary action, including termination of employment or contract, or reassignment to their home agency.”
“The U.S. flag is a powerful symbol of pride and it is fitting and respectful that only the U.S. flag be flown or displayed at U.S. facilities, both domestically and abroad,” the policy states.
Upon being sworn in as U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio affirmed that his priority is keeping the United States first.
“President Trump has made it very clear everything we do – and this is true in government but especially at the Department of State – everything we do must be justified by the answer to one of three questions: Does it make us stronger, does it make us safer, and does it make us more prosperous? If it doesn’t do one of those three things, we will not do it,” Rubio said.” And so that is the goal, and that is the task, and that is the promise that he was elected to keep, and that is the promise he will keep, and we will help him keep.”
