National Park Service denies ordering removal of American flag in Denali National Park

The National Park Service (NPS) has denied allegations that Denali National Park officials ordered a construction crew not to fly the American flag over Memorial Day weekend.

The claim appears to come from a report from Alaska Watchman, a conservative media outlet, which cited an unnamed construction worker. The crew, according to the report, was working on a 475-foot-long bridge in the park when they were allegedly told they could no longer fly the American flag from their trucks or heavy equipment.

Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan sent a letter to the NPS director on Friday demanding an explanation for the claim and an investigation into the alleged incident.

“This is an outrage – especially as we approach our most solemn national holiday, Memorial Day, a time when Americans come together to honor those who have given their lives in service to our nation, while carrying the flag of our country,” he wrote. in the letter. “The American flag, especially on Memorial Day weekend, should be celebrated and not censored by federal government employees.”

Sullivan, who shared a copy of the letter on

“It is absurd and defies logic that a federal contractor working on a project funded by American taxpayers in a national park – the week before Memorial Day – would be prohibited from following American law. I cannot conceive of a law federal government or a regulation that requires it,” he concluded the letter.

On Sunday, the NPS issued a statement denying the information, calling the claims “false.”

“At no time did any NPS official seek to ban the American flag from the project site or associated vehicles,” the statement said. “The NPS does not administer the bridge project contract, nor does it have authority to enforce any conditions or policies related to the contract or the contractors performing the work.”

The statement continued: “The American flag can be seen in various locations throughout Denali National Park – at park facilities and campgrounds, on public and private vehicles, and in employee residences – and we welcome its display this Memorial Day weekend and every day.”