Outrage: As the 250th Anniversary of American Independence Approaches, Ohio’s Capital Planned to Fly Somali Flag Over City Hall

The city of Columbus, Ohio, the state’s capital, is facing backlash after a social media post suggested plans to raise the Somali flag over City Hall.

Ohio has one of the largest Somali communities in the United States, with the Columbus Area (Central Ohio) ranking second in the U.S. after the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area.

The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department shared on X, in a now-deleted post, “Happy Somali Independence Day!”

“As we celebrate the unification of the Trust Territory of Somaliland and the State of Somaliland into the Somali Republic in 1960, City Hall will be raising the flag of Somalia.”

Former DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin shared the post and asked, “What on earth are you doing @MayorGinther? This is Ohio. This is America.”

What on earth are you doing @MayorGinther? This is Ohio. This is America. https://t.co/VIZ76bxjxD

— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) July 1, 2026

Following backlash, the Recreation and Parks Department removed the post, but McLaughlin shared the original post and noted,  “Ohio’s capital city hoisting the flag of a foreign nation.”

“Posted and now deleted by @ColsRecParks.”

Ohio’s capital city hoisting the flag of a foreign nation.

Posted and now deleted by @ColsRecParks. https://t.co/eHiwmB2fEm pic.twitter.com/bTywTWIMam

— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) July 1, 2026

White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller added, “Columbus, Ohio raising the flag of Somalia for America 250.”

Columbus, Ohio raising the flag of Somalia for America 250. https://t.co/m6ho7YRAV7

— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) July 1, 2026

Attorney and political commentator Mehek Cooke shared, “City Hall is not a foreign embassy.”

“As an Ohioan, I am repulsed by the anti-Americanism here. Our leaders treat foreign nationalism as sacred while treating American patriotism as controversial. America’s public buildings should honor America.”

City Hall is not a foreign embassy.

As an Ohioan, I am repulsed by the anti-Americanism here. Our leaders treat foreign nationalism as sacred while treating American patriotism as controversial.

America’s public buildings should honor America. https://t.co/Ey0xRKeHnO

— Mehek Cooke (@MehekCooke) July 1, 2026

Following the backlash, a city spokesperson responded to a Fox News Digital request for comment.

After publication, a city spokesperson told Fox News Digital, “A social media post created by a city department falsely stated that City Hall would raise the Somalian flag in recognition of Somali Independence Day. While the City recognizes and respects the aspirations of people around the world to live in freedom, this post was inaccurate and has been deleted.”

The post Outrage: As the 250th Anniversary of American Independence Approaches, Ohio’s Capital Planned to Fly Somali Flag Over City Hall appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.