Controversial Flag NOW Flying Government Buildings – Sparks Fury

The U.S. Capitol building with an American flag flying in front against a blue sky

A Revolutionary War flag that became a rallying symbol for January 6th rioters is now flying above federal government buildings in Washington D.C., marking a troubling pattern of extremist imagery infiltrating Trump administration agencies.

Story Highlights

The “Appeal to Heaven” flag flew above Small Business Administration headquarters during a Flag Day ceremony
Same controversial symbol appeared at Department of Education offices, making it the second federal agency to display it
Flag was prominently carried by rioters during January 6th Capitol attack and “Stop the Steal” rallies
SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler posted photos celebrating the display as “AMERICAN MADE”
Federal employee unions condemn the displays as symbols of “intolerance, hatred, and extremism”

From Revolutionary Symbol to Modern Controversy

The “Appeal to Heaven” flag carries a complex history that spans from America’s founding to its darkest modern political moments. Originally flown by George Washington’s naval forces during the Revolutionary War, the pine tree flag represented colonial appeals to divine justice against British tyranny. The phrase itself comes from philosopher John Locke’s writings on government legitimacy, making it a genuinely historic American symbol with deep philosophical roots.

However, the flag’s meaning transformed dramatically in recent years as far-right groups and Christian nationalists adopted it as their banner. During the 2020 election aftermath and January 6th Capitol riot, the symbol became synonymous with election denial and extremist ideology, appearing alongside Confederate flags and other divisive imagery.

Federal Agencies Embrace Controversial Symbolism

On June 11th, 2025, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler proudly displayed the flag above her agency’s headquarters during a Flag Day ceremony. Her social media post celebrating the “AMERICAN MADE flag” revealed either tone-deaf ignorance of the symbol’s recent associations or deliberate provocation. The flag flew for less than a day, but Loeffler’s post remained prominently featured on her profile.

This wasn’t an isolated incident. The Department of Education also displayed the same flag outside the office of Murray Bessette, a principal deputy assistant secretary. The timing suggests coordination or at minimum a shared understanding among Trump appointees about the message they wanted to send. Both agencies have faced internal pushback from career employees who view these displays as hostile workplace symbols.

Pattern of Extremist Associations

Loeffler’s flag display fits a disturbing pattern of associations with far-right imagery and figures. In January 2021, she posed for a selfie with Chester Doles, a known white supremacist with ties to both the KKK and neo-Nazi organizations. While her team claimed the encounter was unintentional, the repeated incidents raise questions about either remarkably poor judgment or deliberate dog-whistling to extremist supporters.

The flag has also appeared at high-profile Republican locations, including Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s vacation home and House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office. In each case, the officials claimed ignorance about the symbol’s modern extremist associations, a defense that becomes less credible with each repetition.

Federal Employees Push Back Against Extremism

Federal employee unions have condemned these displays as inappropriate and harmful to workplace morale. Rachel Gittleman, president of the union representing Education Department workers, stated bluntly that agencies have “no place for symbols carried by insurrectionists” and that the flag “represents intolerance, hatred, and extremism.” Her comments reflect broader concerns among career government employees about the politicization of their workplaces.

The union complaints go beyond symbolism to workplace culture, with reports of threats and demoralization since the Trump administration’s return in January 2025. The flag displays compound these tensions by sending clear signals about which political ideologies are welcome in federal agencies supposedly serving all Americans regardless of political affiliation.