Pentagon bans Confederate flag at military installations as part of new policy that 'doesn't infuriate' Trump
The Pentagon, after weeks of deliberations, will ban displays of the Confederate flag on military installations in keeping with a carefully worded new policy that doesn't explicitly state the word ban or the controversial flag specifically. A memo obtained by The Associated Press showed how the policy was described by officials as a "creative way to bar the flag's display without openly contradicting or angering President Donald Trump, who has defended people's rights to display it." The memo was signed by Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Thursday night and lists the types of flags that are allowed to be displayed at US military installations.
The Confederate flag is not in the list and is thus barred without being singled out in a targeted 'ban,' according to AP. "We must always remain focused on what unifies us, our sworn oath to the Constitution and our shared duty to defend the nation," Esper's memo states, per the agency. "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." Among acceptable flags are the US and state banners, flags of the nation's allies and partners, the popular POW/MIA flag, as well as official military unit flags.
The protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who died in Minneapolis police custody on May 25, made apparent racist symbols a national flashpoint in the weeks that followed the tragedy. Protesters have since targeted several Confederate monuments across the nation and some state officials are considering taking them down due to the outrage.
The decision not to name a specifically prohibited flag, according to a Defense Department official who spoke to AP, was to ensure the policy appeared apolitical and could withstand legal challenges based on the first amendment. The official said the White House has been made aware of the new policy. It's important to note that the President has rejected any idea of changing military base names and also defended flying of the Confederate flag saying it falls under the right to freedom of expression. That said, the display of unauthorized flags is still acceptable in museums, works of art, historical exhibits, or educational programs, according to Esper's memo.
In early June, Gen. David Berger, commandant of the Marine Corps, directed his commanders to remove public displays of the Confederate battle flag. Berger said the flag "carries the power to inflame feelings of division" and can potentially affect unit cohesion that combat requires, albeit many consider it as a symbol of heritage. The order was quickly followed at commands based in South Korea and Japan, and the new policy does not affect previous bans in place. The other three military services are also set to enact similar bans.
According to AP, the final version of the policy is a "compromise that enables Esper to enact a ban that passes legal muster and gives military leaders what they want, but doesn't infuriate" Trump. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said service chiefs and secretaries will also be able to enact additional stringent policies against symbols perceived as "divisive and harmful to unit cohesion."