Senator Ed Markey Demands Answers Over Extremist Flag at SBA Headquarters
So, something quite alarming happened recently that’s sparked national concern. On June 11, during a Flag Day event at the Small Business Administration headquarters, an "Appeal to Heaven" flag was flown. Now, if you don’t recognize the name, let me break it down for you. This flag dates back to the Revolutionary War, but in recent years, it’s taken on a very different meaning — one that’s associated with Christian nationalism and extremist movements. And now, the question is: why was this flag flown at a federal agency?
Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, who serves as the ranking member on the Senate’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, is demanding answers. He sent a letter to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, asking who authorized the use of the flag and whether she herself approved it. What makes this especially controversial is that Loeffler posted photos of the flag on her social media, seemingly celebrating the moment.
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Here's where it gets really serious: The "Appeal to Heaven" flag has become a powerful symbol among far-right groups — including those involved in the January 6 insurrection. It’s been adopted by people pushing Christian nationalist ideologies and those who believe the 2020 election was stolen. In fact, it was carried by rioters during the Capitol attack. So to see it flown above a federal building, and during an official event no less, is more than just questionable — it's deeply concerning.
Experts like Jon Lewis, a fellow at Georgetown University's Program on Extremism, have spoken out about this too. He called it “shocking” and a “clear success” for extremist movements. According to him, the image of that flag over the SBA gives extremist groups the sense that they’ve actually made progress in influencing federal institutions.
The flag itself has shown up in other controversial settings — at the home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and even outside some lawmakers’ offices. Defenders often argue it’s a piece of historical Americana. But the reality is, in today’s climate, its modern-day symbolism carries a much darker message. Groups like the Proud Boys and other white Christian nationalists use it to push anti-government and theocratic agendas.
So the presence of this flag at the SBA isn’t just a misunderstanding — it could be seen as a subtle endorsement of extremist views. And when federal agencies display symbols like this, whether knowingly or not, it sends a message. That’s why Senator Markey is pushing for accountability. The public deserves to know how such a symbol ended up at a government agency that’s supposed to serve all Americans — not just a radical few.
This is about more than just one flag. It’s about what we’re willing to accept in our public institutions and whether we’re truly committed to upholding democratic values for everyone.
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