The move comes days after President Trump called displays “freedom of speech.”
Esper’s guidance authorizes the displays of the American flag, state and territories flags, the POW-MIA flag, the flags of other countries, unit flags, senior leader flags, unit flags, and flags flown for protocol purposes.
The new guidance treads carefully around President Trump’s previously stated opposition to a ban on displays of the Confederate flag by not authorizing an outright ban. Instead, displays are not allowed because it is not among the flags authorized for display and his guidance never mentions the Confederate flag.
Today I issued a memorandum to the force on the display of flags at @DeptofDefense facilities. With this change in policy, we will further improve the morale, cohesion, and readiness of the force in defense of our great Nation. pic.twitter.com/YQPc3kxf4V
— Archive: Dr. Mark T. Esper (@EsperDoD) July 17, 2020
