Time to Take Down the Pride Flags and Put ‘In God We Trust’ on Every Federal Building, Sen. Josh Hawley Says
In a recent call to action, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) sparked a vigorous debate by urging the removal of Pride flags from federal buildings and advocating for the prominent display of the national motto, “In God We Trust.”
Hawley’s statement has garnered substantial attention and polarized opinions across the political spectrum.
During his appearance on Monday evening at the National Conservatism conference in the nation’s capital, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. shared his concerns regarding the proliferation of Pride flags on federal properties, questioning the alignment of such displays with the foundational principles of the United States.
“It’s time to take down the Pride flags and put ‘In God We Trust’ on every federal building,” Hawley asserted. He argued that the current trend of displaying Pride flags represents a departure from the nation’s historical and cultural values, which he believes are rooted in a Judeo-Christian ethic.
Hawley’s remarks are set against a backdrop of ongoing debates about the role of religious expressions in public spaces and the balance between inclusivity and tradition.
The outspoken conservative Senator sounded an alarm that the West’s Christian legacy has been hollowed out in the past half-century, that the economy has been distorted to fit the interests of a globalist elite, and that if Americans want to conserve what’s best about our country, then we must reestablish a God-centered worldview in our society and institutions.
Hawley began by referring his Capital Hilton audience to the year 410 A.D., when Rome—once thought of as the eternal city—was sacked by Alaric and the Visigoths.
In that moment, a “fading empire, the ancient world of antiquity, came to a close,” the Missouri Republican said.
The senator’s position is that the national motto, “In God We Trust,” encapsulates a unifying principle that has historically underpinned American society. He emphasized, “We need to return to the values that made this country great. Displaying ‘In God We Trust’ on federal buildings is a step in that direction.”
Supporters of Hawley’s proposal argue that the presence of the national motto in public spaces reinforces the country’s commitment to its religious heritage. They see the Pride flags as politically charged symbols that cater to a specific subset of the population, potentially alienating others who do not share the same views. Advocates of this perspective assert that the inclusion of “In God We Trust” serves as a neutral, yet profound, affirmation of the country’s historical values.
Hawley’s proposal has found resonance among certain conservative circles. He has framed his argument within a broader narrative of cultural preservation and a return to traditional values. According to Hawley, the display of “In God We Trust” is not merely a religious statement but a reaffirmation of the principles that have guided the nation since its inception.
Hawley’s initiative echoes similar efforts in various states where legislators have advocated for the inclusion of the national motto in schools and other public institutions. These movements reflect a growing sentiment among some segments of the population that the country’s religious heritage is being eroded in favor of secular and progressive ideologies.
The senator’s call to action comes at a time when the nation is deeply divided on issues related to identity, representation, and cultural values. His stance has ignited a fervent debate about the role of government in reflecting and promoting societal values. While some view his proposal as a necessary corrective to what they perceive as a drift away from foundational principles, others see it as an exclusionary tactic that fails to acknowledge the diverse fabric of contemporary American society.
In the context of this debate, it is essential to consider the broader implications of such symbolic gestures. The decision to display or remove certain symbols from public spaces is not merely a matter of aesthetics but a reflection of the values and priorities of the nation. As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen how Hawley’s proposal will be received by his colleagues in the Senate and by the broader public.
Ultimately, the conversation initiated by Hawley’s remarks underscores a fundamental tension within American society: the challenge of balancing tradition with inclusivity, and the question of whose values should be represented in public spaces. As the nation grapples with these issues, the discourse around the display of “In God We Trust” and the removal of Pride flags will likely persist, shaping the contours of the cultural and political landscape in the years to come.