A left-wing local official in Washington has found herself in hot water after dismissing the American flag as “not relatable” and suggesting that a pride flag would better represent her city, as reported [1] by Fox News.
Lynnwood City Councilwoman Isabel Mata sparked outrage after arguing that 27 American flags displayed in a local park should be swapped out for “commemorative” or “inclusive” ones—because certain versions of Old Glory represent “parts of American history that, frankly, are not great.”
Mata’s comments came during a recent city council meeting, where she lamented the presence of multiple iterations of the U.S. flag flown in Wilcox Park, affectionately known as “Flag Park.”
Her remarks, suggesting the American flag was less meaningful than the LGBTQ pride flag, quickly spread across social media and drew fierce criticism from locals, veterans, and conservatives who saw her statements as yet another symptom of the Left’s ongoing crusade against patriotism.
“To me, a pride flag is way more relatable than an American flag,” Mata said.
“I would not raise an American flag at my house because I wouldn’t. I wasn’t even born here. But I would raise a pride flag.”
The councilwoman added that as Lynnwood is “the most diverse city in Snohomish County,” she doubted she was the only one to feel that way.
That comment was enough to ignite a firestorm online.
“Lynnwood, Washington City Councilwoman Isabel Mata says the LGBTQ flag is more relatable than the American Flag and she would never fly an American Flag,” posted the popular conservative account Libs of TikTok, helping the story go viral within hours.
Lynwood, Washington City Councilwoman Isabel Mata says the LGBTQ flag is more relatable than the American Flag and she would never fly an American Flag pic.twitter.com/5bHBSiJTrw [3]
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 7, 2026 [4]
The backlash was swift and unforgiving.
Fox News contributor Miranda Devine put it bluntly: “‘I wasn’t even born here.’ Then shut up.”
“I wasn’t even born here.” Then shut up. https://t.co/qTTU8BvuHt [5]
— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) May 7, 2026 [6]
Others piled on with comments like “If you hate America that much, why are you still here?” and “WA cooked.”
Oh, Look!
Lynnwood city councilwoman and migrant Isabel Mata:
“To me, an LGBTQIA+ flag is way more relatable than AMERICAN FLAG. I would not fly one!!!”
If you hate America that much, then why are you still here? pic.twitter.com/xzgtSoCjZp [7]
— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) May 7, 2026 [8]
Many conservatives saw Mata’s remarks as yet another example of far-left identity politics trumping national pride and common sense.
Mata, who describes herself in her official bio as a “queer, neurodivergent writer, advocate, and mindfulness meditation teacher,” scrambled to clean up the mess once her words caught fire.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, she claimed she had been speaking “personally, as a queer woman, about what the pride flag means to me.”

That attempt at damage control didn’t do much to calm the growing criticism.
“I apologize for the way I expressed myself, and I mean that sincerely,” she said.
“The American flag represents the sacrifices of veterans and military families, and the promise that drew immigrants like me to this country. I should have honored that more carefully in my remarks.”
Mata insisted she has “deep respect for everyone who has served under that flag.”
Yet her remarks were not isolated musings. They reflect a broader trend among left-wing politicians who increasingly treat the American flag as a divisive or outdated symbol.
From kneeling during the national anthem to calling for the U.S. flag to be replaced or reinterpreted, progressives have chipped away at the one symbol meant to unite all Americans—regardless of race, gender, or orientation.
Mata also cited the “need” for more “inclusive” symbols in Lynnwood, saying she wanted to open “a broader conversation” about how the city could “reflect its community.”
That’s liberal speak for eroding traditional symbols under the guise of diversity. After years of this rhetoric, many conservatives are understandably tired of hearing that America’s flag, values, and institutions are somehow exclusionary.
Interestingly, the controversy coincides with a new push from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who recently proposed legislation that would elevate the pride flag to the same level of congressional recognition as the American and military flags.
