On Friday, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry issued a proclamation requesting Louisianans to “join him in flying their United States and Make America Great Again flags on January 20, in honor of the Inauguration of President Donald J. Trump,” and that he will “proudly fly a Make America Great Again flag at the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion.”
“Gone are the days of open borders. Gone are the days where Americans have to worry about gas and grocery prices while taxpayer dollars are shipped overseas,” Landry said in a statement. “Today, under President Trump, begins a renaissance in this Nation. One where America and her people will always come first. In Louisiana, we think that is worthy of celebrating!”
The proclamation read:
President Trump resoundingly won the 2024 Presidential Election, sweeping all the swing states, and receiving 312 electoral college votes. He also went on to win the popular vote, receiving an overwhelming 77 million votes, including 1.2 million here in Louisiana. The American people mandated change, and that change begins on January 20. President Trump will be a President for all Americans, and in Louisiana, we celebrate his historic electoral victory and inauguration.
I completely agree with the sentiment, but I don’t agree with flying the MAGA flag. In recent years, conservatives have rightly criticized Democrats for using government buildings to display pride flags alongside the American flag. These displays, whether at state capitols, U.S. embassies, or even the White House, have blurred the lines between public institutions and advocacy. Government symbols should represent all citizens equally, and the introduction of flags tied to specific social or political causes erodes that neutrality. The governor’s mansion may not be the same as a state house, but it still doesn’t sit right with me.
As much as I support Donald Trump and the broader MAGA movement, consistency matters. Conservatives cannot fairly criticize Democrats for politicizing government spaces while doing the same with MAGA flags. If we’re going to hold the line on preserving the neutrality of public institutions, that standard must apply across the board—even when it comes to causes we strongly support.
Trump’s inauguration should be celebrated as a moment for America, not a movement. By keeping the focus on national unity rather than partisanship, we can avoid falling into the same traps we’ve criticized. Let’s honor the occasion with the dignity it deserves while not playing the same games as the left.
Government buildings should limit flag displays to national, state, and institutional symbols. This is not about opposing any movement but about preserving the integrity of public spaces as places that represent all Americans, not just those who align with a particular ideology. Flying flags that advocate for a political cause, regardless of how popular or well-intentioned, risks creating a perception of favoritism and alienating citizens who don’t share the same views.
And sure, we could say, “What goes around comes around,” and just play by the rules that the left plays by, but that will only make the problem worse in the long run. I’d much rather have all sides agree that flags that support political and social causes be banned at public buildings.
As for the plan by various Republican governors to fly U.S. flags at full staff on January 20, marking Trump’s inauguration, I’m all for it. I understand that the American flag is supposed to be flown at half staff in deference to the recent passing of former President Jimmy Carter, but Inauguration Day is a day of celebration, and since flags will return to half staff the following day, it’s all good.
