Ambitious Democrats are leveraging their veteran credentials to counter the MAGA right’s narrative of patriotism. With President Donald Trump’s military parade scheduled in Washington, Democrats are attempting to reassert the American flag as a unifying symbol. On the eve of Flag Day, Reps. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) and Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) handed out 4-inch-by-6-inch flags to their colleagues, a gesture that coincided with Sen. Alex Padilla’s forcible removal and handcuffing at a Homeland Security press conference. House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries later branded the incident “unpatriotic,” underscoring the Democratic Party’s critique of the MAGA movement’s treatment of public officials.
The flags, crafted in Deluzio’s Pennsylvania, were accompanied by a letter written by Ryan, a West Point graduate and Iraq veteran, and Deluzio, a former U.S. Navy officer with three deployments. The letter emphasized that the flag’s values belong to all Americans, not just one political party. As Democrats seek to counter the MAGA right’s definition of patriotism—focused on aligning with Trump—their strategy centers on reclaiming the flag as a shared national identity. This approach is particularly significant as Democrats aim to resonate with the 90% of counties that shifted to Republicans in the 2024 election, according to Sen. Elissa Slotkin’s assertion that the party must “fucking retake the flag.”
Outside groups like VoteVets are amplifying this effort, rallying former servicemembers to challenge the MAGA narrative. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a former Navy officer, is organizing veterans to criticize Trump for using the military to promote his ego while undermining veterans’ benefits. Similarly, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stressed that any talk of patriotism is hollow without respect for American freedoms. On Instagram, Buttigieg highlighted the flag’s symbolic value, referencing his three-year-old daughter’s perspective to underscore its broader meaning.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party’s growing ranks of veterans, including Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy helicopter pilot, are positioning themselves as pivotal figures in the party’s strategy. Sherrill’s candidacy has inspired a group of female veterans running for Congress in 2026, aiming to replicate the success of the 2018 wave by promoting experienced, moderate candidates. Other potential 2028 presidential contenders, such as Kelly and Reuben Gallego, a Marine veteran, are also embracing the flag’s symbolism. However, the challenge remains significant: research suggests that a single exposure to the flag can shift voter sentiment to the right for up to eight months.
Despite these hurdles, Democrats remain committed to reclaiming the flag’s narrative. As Major General (Ret.) Paul Eaton, a VoteVets adviser, noted, the right’s messaging has effectively framed the other party as less than patriotic. Retired Marine JoAnna Mendoza, running to challenge Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), argues that the Republican Party does not own the flag or the nation. “The Republican Party does not own this country, they don’t own the American flag,” she said. “It belongs to the people.” For Democrats, redefining patriotism as a shared value is essential in bridging political divides and securing public support.