Trump Admin Removes Pride Flag from Stonewall Monument, Sparking Outrage

NYC officials defiantly re-raise the rainbow flag, prompting a scathing response from the Department of Interior

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Trump administration has removed a Pride flag from the national monument outside the historic Stonewall Inn in New York City, citing federal code that only permits the American flag, Department of Interior flag, or POW flags to be flown on national monuments. This move has sparked outrage from activists and Democrat leaders in New York City, including the city's socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who re-raised the Pride flag in defiance. The Department of Interior has criticized the city's leaders, accusing them of prioritizing "theatrics" over addressing the basic needs of residents.

Why it matters

The Stonewall Inn is considered the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, after a clash between police and patrons in 1969. The removal of the Pride flag from the national monument at this historic site has been seen as a symbolic attack on LGBTQ+ rights and representation. The clash between the Trump administration and New York City officials highlights the ongoing political tensions around LGBTQ+ issues and the management of national monuments.

The details

Earlier this week, the Trump administration removed a Pride flag from the national monument outside the Stonewall Inn, citing federal code that only permits the American flag, Department of Interior flag, or POW flags to be flown on national monuments. The administration says this is part of "longstanding federal flag policy" to ensure "consistency with federal guidance." On Thursday, hundreds of protesters watched as local officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, defiantly re-raised the Pride flag at the national monument. The Department of Interior has criticized the city's leaders, accusing them of prioritizing "theatrics" over addressing issues like power outages, homelessness, and trash buildup in the city.

  • Earlier this week, the Trump administration removed the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument.
  • On Thursday, local officials re-raised the Pride flag at the national monument in defiance of the federal government's actions.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The socialist mayor of New York City who posted on X that he was "outraged" by the removal of the Pride flag and that the city has a "duty" to honor the legacy of the Stonewall Inn.

Department of Interior

The federal agency that manages the country's national parks and monuments, and which has criticized New York City officials for prioritizing "theatrics" over addressing the basic needs of residents.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our city has a duty not just to honor this legacy, but to live up to it.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (X)

What’s next

The Department of Interior maintains that the recent adjustments to flag displays at the Stonewall National Monument are part of "longstanding federal flag policy" and to ensure "consistency with federal guidance." It remains to be seen if New York City officials will continue to defy the federal government's actions or if a compromise can be reached.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions around LGBTQ+ rights and the management of national monuments. While the Trump administration cites federal policy, the removal of the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument has been seen as a symbolic attack on LGBTQ+ representation and the legacy of the Stonewall Inn. The clash between federal and local officials underscores the broader challenges of balancing national policies with the needs and values of local communities.