Washington
Washington flag redesign blasted as “un-American”
A bill which would redesign the Washington State flag has been blasted as “un-American” by state Republicans who fear a redesign would remove George Washington from the state flag.
The bill, HB 1938, which was introduced by Democratic Washington state Representative Strom Peterson, does not expressly call for the removal of George Washington from the state flag, but does state that “while George Washington is an important national figure, he has limited historical connection to the state itself. This makes his image less meaningful as a symbol for the state.”
Newsweek contacted Peterson for comment via email on Friday.
Why It Matters
Republican Representative Hunter Abell, one of the lawmakers opposed to the proposition, raised concerns that potentially removing George Washington from the flag could result in changing the name of the state itself, although that has not been raised by the bill or by other lawmakers.
Democratic leadership also does not appear to be keen on the bill, saying they will probably not move on it this year as they have other priorities, according to reporting from the Washington State Standard.
Ted S. Warren/Associated Press
What To Know
Representative Peterson’s bill states, “The legislature finds that the Washington 7 state flag often faces criticism for its poor design and lack of relevance to the state’s identity. The flag features a detailed portrait of George Washington, making it overly complex and difficult to reproduce which is a violation of key flag design principles that prioritize simplicity.”
The bill does state that any redesigns to the state flag would have to be approved via a referendum asking voters whether they would like to keep the existing design or adopt any new one.
However, the Washington State Standard’s report noted that Republicans slammed the bill as “un-American.”
Washington State did not exist in George Washington’s time. It was occupied by Britain and the United States in 1818 and did not become an official state until 1889, 80 years after Washington’s death in 1799.
Its current state flag was officially adopted in March 1923 and features a dark green field with the state seal in the center. The seal consists of a portrait of George Washington, the first U.S. president, set against a light-colored background inside a circular band.
What People Are Saying
State Representative Strom Peterson said, according to the Washington State Standard: “[We’re] not asking to remove George Washington from the history of Washington state… This is more about the aesthetics of the flag and what the flag could represent to bring people across the state together.”
State Representative Hunter Abell said, according to the Washington State Standard: “To be the only state in the nation to be named after a president is a distinct honor… One that we should not take for granted and we certainly should not be ashamed of or attempt to eliminate him from our flag.”
What Happens Next
Peterson’s bill would create a committee of legislators from both parties, historians, Native Americans, artistic leaders, and designers, to redesign the flag by 2028.
However, the Washington State Standard reported that the bill is not likely to move forward this year, with lawmakers to focus on other priorities.
Celebrate Mothers Day with à la carte brunch at Lady Madison featuring seafood, entrées, desserts, and premium beverage options.
Celebrate Mothers Day in sophisticated style at Lady Madison, located inside Le Méridien Washington, DC, The Madison. Join us on Sunday, May 10, 2026, from 12:003:00 PM for an elevated à la carte brunch experience in downtown Washington, DC.
Enjoy a refined selection of chef-driven brunch classics, fresh seafood, seasonal salads, and elegant entrées. Highlights include a Build Your Own Omelette, Crab Benedict with lime hollandaise, Chilled Seafood Trio, and signature mains such as Roasted Rack of Lamb, Cedar Plank Sea Bass, and Marinated New York Strip Loin.
End on a sweet note with classic desserts including Crème Brûlée Cheesecake, Fruit Tart, Strawberry Shortcake, and Passion Fruit Cake.
Enhance your experience with beverage offerings, including bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Marys for $30 with house selections. Piper-Heidsieck Champagne is also available by the glass for $16 or by the bottle for $49.
Reserve on OpenTable:
https://www.opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=1426987&restref=1426987&experienceId=695240&utm_source=external&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=shared
À La Carte Menu
Les ufs & Brunch
Egg White Frittata $24
spinach, tomato, mushrooms, green onion
Served with pommes de terre rissolées or seasonal fruit
Build Your Own Omelette $24
ham, smoked salmon, vegetables, cheeses (choose up to 3)
Served with pommes de terre rissolées or seasonal fruit
Crab Benedict $24
lime hollandaise, salsa cruda
Served with pommes de terre rissolées or seasonal fruit
Brioche French Toast $17
berry compote, whipped butter, maple syrup
Les Froids & Salades
Chilled Seafood Trio $28
Jonah crab claws, shrimp, cocktail sauce
Spring Berry Salad $17
brie, berries, champagne vinaigrette
Golden & Crimson Beet Salad $18
red wine vinaigrette
Add protein: shrimp, salmon, skirt steak +18 | chicken +16
Les Plats Principaux
Roasted Rack of Lamb $42
mint sauce, huckleberry reduction, sweet potato purée, asparagus
Cedar Plank Sea Bass $49
saffron rice, spring vegetables
New York Strip Loin $42
mushroom sauce, truffle croquette potatoes, haricots verts
Les Desserts $14
Crème Brûlée Cheesecake
Fruit Tart
Strawberry Shortcake
Passion Fruit Cake
4 things to know about the weather:
- Nice Mother’s Day morning
- Shower chance late Sunday
- Morning showers on Monday
- Temperature drop to start the new workweek
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms! Mother Nature will give us nice conditions for most of the day on Sunday. Expect sunshine and mild conditions for the first half of the day, then a chance of showers near dinner time.
Monday includes a chance of rain, mainly in the morning, then cooler air settles into the area. Highs go from near 80°on Sund ay to the mid 60s Monday.
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
QuickCast
MOTHER’S DAY:
Mostly sunny
Showers late
Wind: W 5-10 mph
HIGH: Low 80s
MONDAY:
Shower chance early
Partly cloudy afternoon
Wind: W 5-10 mph
HIGH: Mid 60s
TUESDAY:
Sunny
Wind: N 5-10 mph
HIGH: Upper 60s
SUNRISE: 6:00 a.m. SUNSET: 8:09 p.m.
AVERAGE HIGH: 75° AVERAGE LOW: 56°
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
An 18-year-old who was shot and wounded in Northwest D.C.’s Tenleytown neighborhood on Thursday afternoon has died, authorities say.
Brady Flowers Jr., of Southwest, was the victim, police said in an update Saturday.
Flowers was found shot in the 4500 block of Wisconsin Avenue NW, behind the CVS store. Jackson-Reed High School and American University are nearby.
Flowers was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and pronounced dead a day later, police said.
Police said 10-15 teens were seen running after the gunshots.
An investigation is underway. Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police.
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