Old Glory 'seized' by those who seek to 'dismantle democracy': Dan Rather on Flag Day

Dan Rather sees a fractured country. And the American flag is in a kind of tug-of-war between MAGA and everyone else.

In his essay "It’s The American Flag (Not a Trump flag)," the former CBS anchor evokes dismay by the fact that Old Glory once stood as a symbol of unity — but has since "regrettably become a symbol of division."

For Rather, the American flag should fly with no kind of leaning, right or left.

But he sees former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, as leading "those who have co-opted it for political purposes" forcing all opposition to remain flawless; even on national patriotic celebrations such as Flag Day or Independence Day.

And makes a subtle jab at Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and his wife hoisting an upside-down American flag in a supposed spat with a neighbor following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

"In the upside-down political world in which we find ourselves, the flag has been seized by supporters of a political candidate who wants to dismantle democracy," Rather writes, referring to Trump who has been indicted in state and federal courts for subverting the 2020 election after being defeated at the ballot box to President Joe Biden. "As MAGA extremists fly the flag for someone who tried to subvert a free and fair election, do they recognize the irony?"

To embrace the American flag, according to Rather, is nearly impossible for anybody who doesn't bow to the MAGA leader or their vision of the country.

"To fly the flag, especially on a car or pickup, is to (wink, wink) show your support for the convicted felon/presumptive Republican presidential nominee and his insurrectionist supporters," he writes. "Many who don’t support him now feel uneasy about flying the flag for fear they will be labeled as right-wing extremists."

But Rather is adamant: the Stars and Stripes are for Americans of any stripe and creed. He hopes for a future where anyone can endorse what it stands for — "democracy, freedom, and justice... for everyone" — without guilt or scorn.

"The flag is not just for Republicans, or just for Democrats, or just for those in between," he said. "It is meant for all."