Mississippi Republicans and Locals Demand Removal of LGBTQ+ Pride Flag from VA Cemetery and Clinic

Mississippi Republicans, including Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, are demanding that the Department of Veterans Affairs remove a temporary Pride flag from Biloxi National Cemetery, calling it a "political stunt" and disrespectful to veterans. The flag was added to a display of American flags last week, and VA Secretary Denis McDonough has authorized all VA facilities to fly the Pride flag for up to 30 days during Pride Month. The lawmakers are demanding that the flag be removed from all VA facilities and cemeteries. The VA estimates there are 1 million LGBTQ veterans in the U.S.