Flying the American flag upside down is a practice that has long carried a strong symbolism in the United States, typically representing a signal of distress. However, in recent years, it has also been adopted as a form of protest, often to highlight issues or grievances related to government policies or national concerns.
The act of displaying the flag upside down has resurfaced in headlines recently. Just this month, an upside-down flag was displayed over El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, and another was spotted outside the State Department in Washington, D.C. These actions have reignited discussions over the meaning and purpose behind this symbol, as well as the underlying issues that have prompted these displays.
Historically, an inverted American flag is a recognized distress signal. According to the U.S. Flag Code, the flag should be flown upside down only in cases of “extreme danger to life or property.” Despite this, it has been used by both conservative and liberal groups over the years to protest what they believe to be a government that is failing the American people.
In Yosemite National Park, for instance, the flag was displayed by employees protesting the firing of approximately 1,000 newly hired National Park Service workers under the Trump administration. These workers had been hired to help manage the parks, which have faced increased visitation and strained resources. The display of the flag was unauthorized, but it sent a clear message about the staffing shortages and budget cuts that continue to plague the National Park Service. National Park Service spokesperson Andrew Munoz stressed that while personal views should be expressed appropriately, the flag’s display was seen as a violation of proper flag etiquette.
This form of protest is not unique to this administration. In fact, it is part of a broader tradition of Americans using the flag to draw attention to issues they feel are deeply affecting the nation. In 2021, during the Capitol riots, several rioters carried upside-down flags as a sign of distress over what they believed was the government’s overreach and corruption. The flag has also been used in other protests related to national security, civil liberties, and even police reform.
While the U.S. Flag Code outlines rules for flag display and etiquette, it does not make flying the flag upside down illegal. The U.S. Supreme Court has consistently upheld the right of Americans to use the flag as a form of free speech. In the landmark case Texas v. Johnson (1989), the Court ruled that flag desecration is protected under the First Amendment as a form of symbolic expression.
While there is no law prohibiting the flying of the flag upside down, there are those who argue that it goes against the respect and reverence owed to the symbol of our nation. Nonetheless, the freedom to protest and speak out, even in ways that may offend some, is a cornerstone of American democracy.
As many Americans continue to voice frustration over government mismanagement, particularly in public services like national parks, the use of the American flag upside down has become an increasingly visible symbol of that unrest. Whether in the context of budget cuts, staffing shortages, or political grievances, the flag continues to be an emblem of both our nation’s values and the dissatisfaction many citizens feel when those values are threatened. Ultimately, the debate surrounding the flag is a reminder of how essential it is for all Americans—regardless of political affiliation—to remain vigilant in defending the principles of liberty and free speech.