Washington, July 21 (RHC)-- The Pentagon has effectively banned the Confederate flag on U.S. military bases.  A memo issued by Defense Secretary Mark Esper does not mention Confederate flags directly but calls on the military to “reject divisive symbols” and lists the flags that are authorized. 

The memo did not address changing names of bases honoring Confederate leaders.  Trump has threatened to veto the National Defense Authorization Act if it removes Confederate names from bases. 

On Sunday, Trump mocked the push to rename Fort Bragg, saying: “We’re going to name it after the Rev. Al Sharpton?”  Trump also likened support for Black Lives Matter to support for the Confederate flag, saying they were both issues of freedom of speech.  The new Pentagon policy also means Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ flags are likely no longer allowed on bases.