1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to demand the immediate removal of the 'An Appeal to Heaven' flag displayed outside the office of Murray Bessette, principal deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development at the U.S. Department of Education. While this flag has Revolutionary War origins, it has been co-opted in recent years by evangelical Christian nationalist groups, the Proud Boys, and certain neo-Nazi groups according to the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. Most significantly, this banner was carried by insurrectionists during the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol when they attempted to prevent Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election results. The presence of this flag at an agency responsible for overseeing billions of dollars in federal funding for our nation's schools raises serious concerns about the separation of church and state. Rachel Gittleman, president of the union representing Education Department workers nationwide, correctly stated that the agency has no place for symbols carried by insurrectionists. Federal employees should not be required to work in an environment where a senior leader displays a symbol associated with extremism and the violent attempt to overturn a democratic election. The department's response dismissing these concerns as imagined grievances and silly political fights is unacceptable. This is not about test scores or political theater. This is about maintaining the integrity and neutrality of a federal agency that serves all American students and families, regardless of their religious or political beliefs. I urge you to take immediate action to ensure this flag is removed from Bessette's office and to establish clear guidelines preventing the display of symbols associated with extremist movements or religious nationalism in federal workplaces. Our public servants deserve a professional environment free from divisive symbols, and our students deserve an Education Department that represents all Americans equally.