TSgt Robert Durrant and his family live on base at Malmstrom Air Force Base. On September 11, he was contacted by a base housing manager’s employee and told to remove his “Jesus is my King Trump is my President” flag from the front of his house because it violated community guidelines. The flag, which he had aready been flying for about six weeks, serves as an expression of his faith in Jesus and support of his Commander in Chief.
Balfour, the property management company at Malmstrom Air Force Base, gave TSgt Durrant 48 hours to comply with their flag removal demand or risk facing disciplinary action. They also informed TSgt Durrant’s military chain of command of the incident.
Balfour, as the owner and operator of military housing at the base, is a government actor. Thus, they must comply with the strict demands of the Constitution and RFRA. They also must comply with the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits religious discrimination.
At the time he was informed of the violation, other base residents displayed flags representing sports teams, seasonal decoration, and even pride flags without such objection. So as to not risk eviction of his family or military discipline, TSgt Durrant removed the flag.
In response to this clear religious discrimination, First Liberty Institute sent a demand letter to Balfour on behalf of TSgt Durrant.
In the demand letter, attorneys state, “Service members do not forfeit their First Amendment rights by virtue of their military service, including when the service member resides in military housing.”
“Permitting the display of LGBT and other flags for years while subsequently ordering the swift removal of a religious flag is blatant anti-Christian bias targeting religious exercise,” said Chris Motz, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “The First Amendment protects TSgt Durrant’s right to freely express his faith without fear of reprimand or repercussion, including on an Air Force base.”
News Release
For Immediate Release: 1.6.26
Contact: Natalie Konstans, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
Sergeant Ordered to Remove “Jesus is my King Trump is my President” Flag From Military Base Residence
The flag represents his Biblical belief in Christ and support for the Commander in Chief.
Great Falls, MT—First Liberty Institute sent a demand letter on behalf of Air Force Technical Sergeant Robert Durrant who was ordered by an employee at a military base to take down his “Jesus is my King Trump is my President” flag from his residence. The order is in violation of his First Amendment, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and Fair Housing Act rights.
You can read the demand letter here.
“Permitting the display of LGBT and other flags for years while subsequently ordering the swift removal of a religious flag is blatant anti-Christian bias targeting religious exercise,” said Chris Motz, Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute. “The First Amendment protects TSgt Durrant’s right to freely express his faith without fear of reprimand or repercussion, including on an Air Force base.”
TSgt Robert Durrant and his family live on base at Malmstrom Air Force Base. On September 11, he was contacted by a base housing manager’s employee and told to remove his “Jesus is my King Trump is my President” flag from the front of his house because it violated community guidelines. The flag, which he had already been flying for about six weeks, serves as an expression of his faith in Jesus and support of his Commander in Chief. He was given 48 hours to comply or risk facing disciplinary action. At the time he was informed of the violation, other base residents displayed flags representing sports teams, seasonal decoration, and even pride flags without such objection. So as to not risk eviction of his family or military discipline, TSgt Durrant removed the flag.
In the letter, attorneys state, “Service members do not forfeit their First Amendment rights by virtue of their military service, including when the service member resides in military housing.”
###
About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact Natalie Konstans at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
TSgt Durrant’s Flag
 |
|
|
CASE SUMMARY
PRESS RELEASES
LEGAL DOCUMENTS
PHOTOS AND VIDEO