Republican State Bans MAGA and Pride Flags at Schools, Government Buildings

A new Utah law aimed at preventing LGBTQ+ Pride flags from being displayed in classrooms and government buildings would also apply to "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) flags, the Associated Press reported Friday.

Why It Matters

LGBTQ+ rights have become a major sticking point for the culture wars in recent years, with conservatives saying that discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity should be left out of schools.

Proponents of this bill say it will help promote political neutrality in schools and government buildings, but critics say it is intended to chill discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity.

What To Know

Utah on Friday became the first state to ban the LGBTQ+ Pride flag from schools, weighing in on a culture war issue that has divided Americans. The law states that only a handful of flags, including the American flag and military flags, are allowed to be displayed in government buildings and schools, the AP reported.

This means political flags, such as those to support President Donald Trump, will not be allowed to be flown in schools and government buildings.

Republican Governor Spencer Cox has voiced concerns with the bill but declined to veto it, as it would be overruled by the GOP-controlled legislature, according to the AP.

"I deeply believe that our classrooms need to be a place where everyone feels welcome —free from the politics that are fracturing our country. Unfortunately, this bill does not do that," Cox wrote in a letter to lawmakers.

The governor added: "By simply requiring the removal of flags only, there is little preventing countless other displays—posters, signs, drawings, furniture—from entering the classroom. Furthermore, the bill is overly prescriptive on flags themselves. To those legislators who supported this bill, I'm sure it will not fix what you are trying to fix."

Cox told legislators in the letter that he agrees with the "underlying intent" of political neutrality in the classrooms, while acknowledging the legislation has been "difficult" for the LGBTQ+ community.

He quipped that he finds it "strange that no headline reads 'MAGA flags banned from classrooms.'"

What People Are Saying

Utah state GOP Representative Trevor Lee told Deseret News: "There isn't a good reason to veto it and he [Cox] knows it. Hence why he doesn't want to go down that path."

The Utah American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wrote in a statement: "The government should not be in the business of banning symbols that help people feel seen and welcomed. Beyond stoking fear among LGBTQ+ Utahns, this bill sets a dangerous precedent that threatens free speech for everyone."

What Happens Next?

The AP reported that starting May 7, state or local government buildings will be fined $500 a day for flying any flag other than the American flag, the Utah state flag, military flags or a short list of others approved by lawmakers.

Meanwhile in several other states, lawmakers are considering similar bills that would prohibit the LGBTQ+ Pride flag from being displayed in schools.

Update 3/28/25 4:42 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 3/28/25 5:11 p.m. ET: This article's headline was updated.

Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.