From Fox News: A battle between elected Democrat officials and the Trump administration is developing in New York City involving a Pride flag being flown at a government monument outside the historic Stonewall Inn.
Earlier this week, the Trump administration removed a Pride flag from the national monument outside the Stonewall Inn, the site of a clash between police and patrons of a gay bar seen by many as the start of the gay rights movement in the 1960s, in a move it says is in accordance with decades-old federal code.
The administration says that only the American flag, Department of the Interior flag, or POW flags are permitted to fly on national monuments rather than political flags, and Pride flags have continued to be displayed around the monument at the Stonewall Inn itself, located nearby.
Activists and Democratic leaders in New York City were livid.
New York’s socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, posted on X, “I am outraged by the removal of the Rainbow Pride Flag from Stonewall National Monument. New York is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and no act of erasure will ever change, or silence, that history.
“Our city has a duty not just to honor this legacy, but to live up to it. I will always fight for a New York City that invests in our LGBTQ+ community, defends their dignity, and protects every one of our neighbors—without exception.”
I am outraged by the removal of the Rainbow Pride Flag from Stonewall National Monument. New York is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and no act of erasure will ever change, or silence, that history.
Our city has a duty not just to honor this legacy, but to…
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) February 10, 2026
Local officials re-raised the Pride flag at the national monument on Thursday, prompting the Department of the Interior, which manages the country’s national parks, to issue a harsh rebuke.
“Instead of addressing the basic needs of their constituents, city leaders seem more focused on theatrics than solutions,” a Department of Interior spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Residents are left wondering why their elected officials are prioritizing headlines over heating. Every day that these issues go unresolved is another day families are forced to live with the consequences of mismanagement and neglect.”
“Hundreds of families in New York City went without power during this year’s severe cold weather, people are being found dead on the streets, and trash has piled up so high it towers over city residents. This is Mayor Mamdani and city officials’ New York City. While today’s political stunt is a distraction from their recent deadly failures, it would be a better use of their time to get the trash buildup off city streets, ensure there are no more avoidable deaths, and work to keep the power on for the people of New York City.”
NY officials raise Pride flag at Stonewall in rebuke of Trump administration https://t.co/zjbh6GEbaF
📸 Marla Diamond pic.twitter.com/yxTqXFokPB
— 1010 WINS on 92.3 FM (@1010WINS) February 13, 2026
New Yorkers took it upon themselves to replace the pride flag that was removed from the Stonewall National Monument by the Trump administration this week.
Stonewall is considered the birthplace of the gay liberation movement in the U.S. @CBSNewYork @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/M5AyrsygXu
— Ali Bauman (@AliBaumanTV) February 13, 2026
Read more at Fox News
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