U.S. embassies and consulates around the world will now fly only the American flag, according to a new directive from the State Department. This move marks a shift from the Biden administration, which allowed pride and Black Lives Matter flags to be displayed at diplomatic outposts.

The change was highlighted in a recent White House announcement detailing actions taken during President Trump’s first 100 hours in office. While the U.S. flag remains the sole focus, flags honoring prisoners of war and missing-in-action service members will still be permitted.

This policy is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to roll back initiatives from the previous presidency. Earlier this week, the administration also targeted diversity programs and policies aimed at protecting transgender individuals and preventing sexual discrimination.

The display of flags at embassies has been a point of contention for years. Rainbow flags became a common sight at U.S. diplomatic posts starting in 2011, when then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declared that “gay rights are human rights.” However, under the previous Trump administration, pride flags were restricted from public-facing flagpoles, though some embassies found creative ways to display them.

In 2021, the Biden administration reversed course, allowing pride flags to fly alongside the American flag during June’s pride month. Now, the pendulum has swung back once again, sparking debate over the role of symbolism in U.S. diplomacy.

As the policy evolves with each administration, one thing is clear: the flagpole has become a battleground for cultural and political expression.