(Washington, June 25) - Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today wrote to U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler inquiring about SBA’s decision to fly the “Appeal to Heaven” flag over its headquarters as part of its June 11, 2025, Flag Day Ceremony. Although the historical significance of this flag as a Revolutionary War-era emblem is well-established, its modern reappropriation by far-right movements, including individuals involved in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol and white Christian nationalists, renders its display inappropriate at a federal government institution.
Senator Markey writes, “In recent years, extremist movements that reject the legitimacy of our democratic institutions have co-opted the Appeal to Heaven flag. These include supporters of Donald Trump’s ‘Stop the Steal’ campaign, which falsely claimed President Biden’s 2020 electoral victory was fraudulent. On January 6, 2021, insurrectionists carried the Appeal to Heaven flag, and it has become a favored emblem of Christian nationalist and anti-government factions. Flying such a symbol at a federal agency on a day meant to honor the shared ideals represented by the American flag risks endorsing the messages of groups such as the Proud Boys and other white Christian nationalists, which seek to undermine the rule of law.”
Senator Markey continues, “Our federal institutions must remain above ideological influence, especially when those ideologies undermine democracy and promote division. The SBA plays a critical role in supporting our nation’s diverse collection of small businesses and fostering inclusive economic growth. It should not be associated with symbols that are increasingly viewed as partisan or extremist, or that promote hateful rhetoric.”
To learn more about SBA’s decision to fly this flag and to urge Administrator Loeffler to reaffirm SBA’s commitment to nonpartisanship and inclusivity in all public displays and communications, Senator Markey requests answers to the following questions by July 2, 2025:
- Please explain the decision to fly the Appeal to Heaven flag at SBA headquarters, including who raised the flag and who authorized its use.
- Were you involved in the decision to fly the Appeal to Heaven flag and did you personally approve its use?
- What was the rationale for its inclusion in a Flag Day display?
- What is the established protocol for selecting flags that may be flown on SBA property?
- Will other non-official or historical flags be flown at SBA headquarters in the future? If so, which ones, when, and why?
- Does the SBA endorse the beliefs of the Proud Boys or any other white Christian nationalist groups? If so, please identify those groups and their positions that the SBA endorses.
