BOISE, Idaho — The City of Boise removed the Pride flag from public display around noon on Wednesday, one day after Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 561 into law.
The legislation imposes a $2,000 daily fine on any city or county that flies a flag on public property that has not been officially approved by the state. It builds on a 2025 law that Boise officials had continued to ignore by flying the Pride flag, which the city had treated as an official symbol for more than a decade.
City leaders confirmed the flag was taken down to avoid the new financial penalties. Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said the move was made solely for legal compliance and did not reflect a change in the city’s values.
“The Pride flag has always represented inclusion and the idea that everyone in our community is welcome, regardless of who they are,” McLean said. “It is not a political statement. Boise remains a city that celebrates diversity and will continue to be a welcoming place for all residents.”
The governor’s office described HB 561 as a straightforward enforcement measure to ensure that only state-approved flags are flown on public buildings and grounds. Supporters argued that the Pride flag and other unofficial banners had turned government property into a platform for political expression.
Reaction online was swift and divided. Conservative commentators and Idaho residents celebrated the flag’s removal, calling it a long-overdue correction that restores neutrality to public spaces. Many posted messages of support for the governor, with hashtags such as #BackTheBill and #OneFlagForIdaho trending locally.
Boise officials have not indicated whether they plan to seek formal approval to fly the Pride flag under the new law or pursue any legal challenge. The flag had flown continuously at City Hall since at least 2015, making Boise one of the longest-running municipal displays of the symbol in the Mountain West.
The city said it will review all current flag protocols in the coming weeks to ensure full compliance with state law.
