WHITE HOUSE FLAG-DOWN

 

This picture was posted by former Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger. I fact-checked it and it's legitimate. The picture was taken on November 17^th by a Getty Images photographer Mandel Ngan.

On posting it, Kinzinger wrote, “If this picture was of Obama, you know Fox News would do three weeks solid on why the flag was on the ground. At least three weeks.”

The White House has released a statement claiming that the flag was never on the ground, but was lowered into a “special receptable” as a precautionary procedure due to high winds and the presidential helicopter that was landing at the time. But I have some questions—which shall, necessarily, remain rhetorical (because I don’t expect any answers will be forthcoming).

First, you’ll note that it is apparently dark in the photo. On every military base where I served during my three years in service in the US and abroad, the flag was retired, in a ceremony known as “Retreat”, at sunset, not after dark. So why was the banner still on the staff after dark? Why hadn’t it already been retired before the president arrived?

Second, also in accordance with my own  military experience, even if there was a “receptacle” there in an abundance of caution to keep the flag off the ground as it was being retired, why did the color guard not already have their hands on the flag, cradling and folding it as it was lowered, according to protocol? In a proper Retreat, the colors are not lowered onto the ground or into a box, and onto a table, or whatever. The flag is received, cradled and properly folded as it is being retired, not dropped into a box and folded afterward at the convenience of those in charge.

Third, this would not be the first time that the Trump White House stooped to changing the narrative post facto in order to save themselves embarrassment when they have violated long-honored norms. Ever since a tradition of “alternative facts” was instituted during Trump’s first term, it has become impossible to take anything coming from the Trump White House’s communications section seriously.

Finally, “receptacle” or no, those in charge of Retreat should clearly have been aware of the optics of the flag lying in a heap at the bottom of the flagpole instead of being properly retired and folded as it was being lowered. The image doesn’t lie when it comes to the disdain shown for what is the prime symbol of American democracy.  

It seems a fitting allegory for the disdain Trump shows regularly for everything that patriotic Americans hold scared. It would appear that, at the Trump White House, the flag is nothing more than a rag, a prop that he drags out for photo ops and then has no problem letting lie in a heap. For him, it seems to have no symbolic meaning whatsoever. 

From Cub Scouts to the US Army I was taught that you never let the flag touch the ground. It's a sign of respect for all of those who have given their lives under it, and for the republic itself.

But Donald Trump –a five-time draft-dodger— probably has no idea about such things, and wouldn't respect them if he did. Like he doesn't respect any other patriotic American tradition…or the Constitution…or due process…or the rule of law…or justice...or the co-equality of the three branches of government…or anything else, other than fellow dictators and his own selfish interests.