True to his campaign pledge, President Donald Trump is pushing ahead quickly with policies aimed at deemphasizing “wokeness” and diversity, equity, and inclusion leftism throughout all agencies of the federal government, including the State Department and the U.S. military.
A day after former Florida Sen. Marco Rubio took over as Secretary of State, the administration implemented a new policy that effectively blocks U.S. embassies and outposts from flying Pride and Black Lives Matter flags. According to a report by The Washington Free Beacon, the “One Flag Policy” order restricts U.S. facilities at home and abroad to flying only the American flag, with two exceptions: the POW/MIA emblem and the Wrongful Detainees Flag.
The policy memo states, “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 flag of the United States of America unites all Americans under the universal principles of justice, liberty, and democracy.”
The policy comes after years of debate during the Biden administration, when displays of such flags sparked controversy. Former President Joe Biden was criticized for flying the Pride flag outside the White House during a Pride Month celebration in 2023 and for a leaked memo in 2021 encouraging U.S. embassies to display Black Lives Matter flags.
Meanwhile, Trump has reversed a Biden-era policy allowing transgender individuals to serve in the military. Shortly after taking office, Trump signed an order revoking Biden’s 2021 directive, Enabling All Qualified Americans to Serve Their Country in Uniform. Trump's new executive order reinstates a ban on transgender troops, aligning with his campaign promises.
In a statement, the White House criticized DEI initiatives, stating they have corrupted government institutions by replacing “hard work, merit, and equality” with a divisive hierarchy. The administration, led by Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, aims to eliminate DEI policies within the military.
Last week, Trump appointed Matthew Lohmeier as the Air Force's next undersecretary. Lohmeier, a former Space Force lieutenant colonel, was dismissed in 2021 after criticizing military diversity programs. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., praised the move, stating it will restore the military's focus on lethality by ending DEI programs.
