Vice President Mike Pence agrees with the policy of flying only the American flag on the flagpole at U.S. embassies. During an NBC News interview, Kristen Welker asked the vice president whether the Trump administration had blocked American embassies from flying the rainbow pride flag:
“It is pride month. Did the administration direct U.S. embassies not to fly the pride flag?” Welker asked.
Pence explained that the State Department has instructed embassies not to fly any flag other than the American flag, a position that he supports:
“I’m aware that the State Department indicated that on the flagpole of our American embassies that one flag should fly, and that’s the American flag and I support that,” Pence explained.
Welker pressed him about the issue, noting President Trump’s tweet celebrating pride month: “To the LGBTQ community who feels as though that runs counter to the president celebrating pride month in his tweet?”
....on the basis of their sexual orientation. My Administration has launched a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality and invite all nations to join us in this effort!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2019
Pence said that while he and President Trump serve all Americans, he believes the only flag that should fly on the embassy flagpoles is the American flag. He also said there are no additional restrictions against other displays at U.S. embassies:
“Well, look, as the president said on the night we were elected, we’re proud to be able to serve every American,” the vice president explained, adding that they “both feel that way very passionately.” He said that on the issue of the embassy flagpoles, “having the one American flag fly I think is the right decision. And we put no restrictions on displaying any other flags or any other, any other displays at our embassies beyond that.”
According to NBC News, U.S. embassies are still publicly expressing support for pride month:
“This month, American diplomatic posts have been flying the pride flag inside embassies or putting banners up on the exterior walls of buildings, but requests to put it on the embassy flagpole as was done in years past have been rejected.”