Pence confirms Trump administration denied US embassy requests to fly Pride flag
Mike Pence,State Department,Politics
Vice President Mike Pence on Monday confirmed that the Trump administration denied requests from U.S. embassies around the world to display a rainbow flag to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month.
"I'm aware that the State Department indicated that on the flag pole of our American embassies that one flag should fly, and that's the American flag, and I support that," Pence told NBC News in an interview released Monday.
Pence's remarks come days after the news outlet first reported that the Trump administration was rejecting requests from U.S. embassies to fly the flag outside — an apparent reversal from the Obama administration.
At least four U.S. embassies — in Israel, Germany, Brazil and Latvia — were reportedly denied permission to fly flags in support of the LGBTQ community.
The vice president said that he and President Trump are "proud to be able to serve every American, and we both feel that way very passionately."
"But when it comes to the American flag pole and American embassies around the world, having one American flag fly, I think is the right decision," Pence said. "We put no restrictions on displaying any other flags or any other displays at our embassies beyond that."
The Obama administration granted blanket approval to fly the flag on outside flagpoles, NBC News reported, but State Department policy is that embassies are expected to ask for permission from Washington.
Just before the start of Pride — which is celebrated throughout the month of June — Trump tweeted support for the LGBT community.
Related Coverage
AllSides Picks
Headline Roundup
Trump Signs Order Renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America
August 27th, 2026
Headline Roundup
PA Gov. Shapiro Signs Order Requiring Stricter Data Center Regulation
August 25th, 2026
Recommended Reading
When AOC Takes a Step Back—and Possibly Forward
Dan Schnur
August 24th, 2026
Recommended Reading
When Establishment Democrats Dodge a BulletÂ
Dan Schnur
August 17th, 2026