Ed Markey Faces Backlash for Calling Colonial Flag Racist

There is an old maxim, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt." Some give credit to the great Mark Twain, who spent considerable time in Fairhaven, while others argue that Abraham Lincoln, who spent a night on County Street in New Bedford, uttered those words.

Whoever it was who said it nailed it, and must have done so after having his fill of politicians.

Politicians are known to make utterances about things they know little about. Never let such a thing as ignorance of facts get in the way of making a point. The Massachusetts delegation to the U.S. Senate, Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, does this with some regularity.

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Markey’s Comments Spark Outrage

Markey issued a press release blasting the U.S. Small Business Administration for flying an "Appeal to Heaven" flag near the American flag outside its Washington, D.C. headquarters on Flag Day.

Markey, while seeming to have some understanding of the flag's history, referred to it as a "white supremacist" flag and suggested it was "inappropriate at a federal government institution." He also claimed the flag has become "a favored emblem of white Christian nationalists" and "anti-government factions."

What Is the “Appeal to Heaven” Flag?

The white flag with a green pine tree and the words "An Appeal to Heaven" has a storied history.

AmericanFlags.com says the Appeal to Heaven flag, also known as the Pine Tree flag, "was designed by Colonel Joseph Reed, who served as the personal secretary to George Washington."

A Flag With Revolutionary War Origins

The site says, "Originally commissioned for use on six military cruiser ships, the flag was adopted on October 21, 1775. It became the official Massachusetts Navy flag in 1776."

According to the site, "The Appeal to Heaven flag represents the growing anger of the colonists prior to the American Revolution."

Reactions From SBA and Critics

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler fired back at Markey for his mischaracterization of the flag. In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, Loeffler accused Markey of having left his American flag "lying outside, on the ground, in violation of the U.S. Flag Code."

Loeffler reportedly questioned Markey for displaying the Massachusetts flag, which she says has been criticized by some Native Americans as "racist" and a symbol of "slaughter" and "genocide."

Fox reported Loeffler mocked Markey "for attacking a flag with historical significance while flying the pro-LGBTQ 'Progress Pride' flag outside his office,' which she reportedly called a 'divisive' symbol, designed to honor select sub-groups."

The media attempted to create a controversy last year when Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito flew an Appeal to Heaven flag at his summer home.