Controversial 'Appeal to Heaven' Flag Flown Over DC Government Agency
In a move that has ignited debate and drawn sharp criticism, a flag deeply associated with the far-right, the "Appeal to Heaven" flag, was recently flown above the Small Business Administration (SBA) headquarters in Washington, DC. The flag, which has become a prominent symbol for Christian nationalists and proponents of the "Stop the Steal" movement, appeared alongside the United States flag during a ceremony last week.
The incident occurred on June 11, during a ceremony where a new American-made flag was raised over the SBA building. Kelly Loeffler, the former Georgia senator and current administrator of the SBA, participated in the event. Photographs shared by Loeffler on her X account show the "Appeal to Heaven" flag positioned directly beneath the US flag on what appears to be the same flagpole. Sources within the SBA indicated that the controversial flag was displayed for less than a day.
The Evolution of a Symbol: From Revolution to Christian Nationalism
While the "Appeal to Heaven" flag boasts historical roots dating back to the American Revolutionary War, its contemporary usage has shifted dramatically. Originally commissioned by George Washington in 1775 for Navy ships, the flag features a pine tree and the words "An Appeal to Heaven," a phrase derived from the writings of philosopher John Locke, signifying a call to a higher power or principle when earthly authorities fail. However, in recent years, the flag has been co-opted by various groups, most notably those associated with the far right.
Its presence among the rioters at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, solidified its association with the movement challenging the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. Furthermore, the flag has become a popular emblem within Christian nationalist circles, which advocate for the United States to be governed as a Christian nation rather than maintaining its secular foundation.
Experts in extremism view the flag's modern context with concern.
Jon Lewis, a research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, stated, "That the Appeal to Heaven flag is being flown on a government building alongside the American flag should be shocking to anyone who doesn't wish to live in a theocracy." He added that the flag's contemporary use is "synonymous with Christian nationalism, full stop."
Lewis also linked the flag's appearance at the SBA to the events of January 6, suggesting that those who carried the flag to the Capitol believed they could inject Christian fundamentalism into the core of American democracy. He argued that seeing the same flag on an agency building could be interpreted by these groups as evidence of their success.
A Pattern Among Political Figures
The display of the "Appeal to Heaven" flag by political figures is not unprecedented. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has publicly displayed the flag outside his office. Similarly, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Samuel Alito faced scrutiny after the flag was seen flying at his vacation home in New Jersey. Both Johnson and Alito have stated they were unaware of the flag's association with election deniers.
Justice Alito also drew criticism for the display of an upside-down American flag at his primary residence in Virginia. While an upside-down flag is traditionally a signal of distress, it has recently been adopted by some right-wing protesters.
SBA Staff Reactions and Loeffler's Background
The decision to fly the "Appeal to Heaven" flag at the SBA headquarters reportedly caused discomfort among some agency staff. Speaking anonymously due to not being authorized to speak to the press, one staffer described seeing the flag as "pretty jarring." They expressed frustration that the flag's presence might imply agency-wide support for what it has come to represent, asserting that this does not reflect the views of everyone at the SBA.
"We're proud to do work that supports, or at least is supposed to support, all Americans," the staffer said. "The decision to raise that flag isn't one that reflects the views of everyone at SBA."
Another anonymous staffer suggested that more people might have been concerned if they were aware of the flag's contemporary associations.
The responsibility for the flag's display remains unclear. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler's background includes a brief tenure as a Republican senator from Georgia, appointed in 2020. Following the 2020 presidential election, Loeffler publicly called for Georgia's Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, to resign, making unsubstantiated claims about the integrity of the election. Although she eventually certified the results, she had previously avoided directly stating whether President Trump had lost the election. Loeffler was appointed SBA administrator by Trump in February after co-chairing his inaugural committee.
As of the time of reporting, Loeffler and the SBA had not responded to requests for comment regarding the flag incident, though Loeffler's X post featuring the flag remains online.
Conclusion
The flying of the "Appeal to Heaven" flag over a federal government building in Washington, DC, is a significant event that underscores the increasing visibility of symbols associated with specific political and religious ideologies within the public sphere. While the flag has historical origins, its recent adoption by groups involved in challenging democratic processes and advocating for Christian nationalism has imbued it with controversial contemporary meaning. The incident at the SBA highlights the tension between historical symbols and their evolving interpretations, raising questions about the appropriateness of displaying such symbols on government property and their potential impact on public perception and the morale of federal employees.