Controversy Sparks in Massachusetts Police Station Over Trump Flag Removal

A hearing will take place in a Massachusetts town on Monday to decide on the potential termination of its administrator following a disagreement with the local police department regarding a Trump flag, as reported by local sources.

The conflict started in January when West Boylston Police Chief Dennis Minnich was conducting a tour of the department. During the tour, town administrator James Ryan noticed a Trump flag in the private police gym and instructed Minnich to remove it by the following day, according to FOX 25 Boston.

Ryan said the flag was a civil rights violation and told Minnich to send it to his office, according to FOX 25.

“I never informed the officers that they couldn’t display a President Trump flag. I believe that directive is not valid,” Minnich expressed to FOX 25 in response to Ryan’s demand to take down the flag and hand it over to Ryan’s office. “I consider it to be unlawful for him to require me to surrender it to him. It’s definitely not appropriate.”

Clifford also said Minnich declined to be present at Monday’s hearing.

President Donald Trump supporters fly a Trump 24 flag outside a courthouse in Manhattan. (ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

“Chief Minnich elected to turn this into a political circus, embarrassing himself and West Boylston in the process,” Clifford said. “Chief Minnich makes several references to his ‘professionalism’ as chief, yet apparently doesn’t understand or respect due process, including the right to confront one’s accuser.”

Minnich also apparently declined to meet privately with Ryan, according to Clifford.

“James [Ryan] has never taken a position for or against President Trump or any political candidate or party,” Clifford said. “That being said, the West Boylston police station is a public building, period. If Chief Minnich had engaged the Town Administrator in a rational or thoughtful dialogue, they could have resolved this issue in any one of a number of ways.”

Monday’s hearing covering Ryan’s possible termination is scheduled for 4 p.m.