EXCLUSIVE: The US military services unanimously agreed to recommend banning the display of the Confederate flag on military bases, on ships, and in any public space, including barracks, several US defense officials told Fox News, including one who has seen the draft of the service secretaries agreement for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
The decision now rests with Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who last month sought recommendations from department heads on racial issues in the ranks.
President Trump said separately that he would veto the Defense Authorization Act if it includes language to change the names of 10 Army bases named after Confederate generals. The unanimous recommendation to prevent the Confederate flag from being displayed could put the Pentagon on a collision course with Trump.
The new recommendation does not apply to tattoos or displaying the Confederate flag on pieces of historical art, such as paintings, which may be hung in the Pentagon or on bases across the country.
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) was the first to ban the display of the Confederate flag, on everything from stickers to coffee mugs, at its military facilities last month.
“The Confederate battle flag has too often been co-opted by violent extremist and racist groups whose divisive beliefs have no place in our Corps,” the USMC said in a statement. “Our history as a nation and events such as the violence in Charlottesville in 2017 highlights the division that the use of the Confederate battle flag has had in our society.”
Days later, the United States Navy announced that it was working to ban the Confederate flag from all “facilities, ships, planes, and submarines.”
“The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Mike Gilday, has ordered his staff to begin drawing up an order prohibiting the Confederate battle flag from all public spaces and work areas,” Commander. Nate Christensen told Fox News.
Then Gen. Robert “Abe” Abrams, commander of the US forces in Korea, joined the Navy Commander and banned the display of the Confederate flag.
“Effective immediately,” he tweeted, “The Confederate battle flag or its representation is NOT authorized within USFK installation workplaces, common access areas, public areas, building exteriors, personal clothing or bumper stickers. vehicles”.
“The Confederate battle flag does not represent the values of the US forces assigned to serve in the Republic of Korea,” he added. “While I recognize that some might see it as a symbol of regional pride, many others in our force see it as a painful reminder of hatred, bigotry, betrayal, and a devaluation of humanity.”
General David Goldfein, who is retiring as chief of staff for the Air Force, agreed with the decision to ban the Confederate flag. He is being replaced as chief of the Air Force by General Charles “CQ” Brown, the first African-American chief of the Air Force, who will also be the first black chief of service in the Joint Chiefs when he assumes the Air Force next month. .
The draft of the Confederate Flag Policy was distributed for comment among services last week by the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
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Last month, Defense Secretary Esper called for the establishment of an external advisory committee on the issue of race; He has commissioned service chiefs to brainstorm ways to improve the atmosphere of inclusion in the U.S. military following the death of George Floyd in custody.
