The capital of Ohio was compelled to remove a statement asserting that Somalia's flag would be flown over its City Hall.
On Wednesday, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department mentioned commemorating the 'merging of the Trust Territory of Somaliland with the State of Somaliland to form the Somali Republic in 1960.'
The conclusion of the post included a statement saying, "City Hall will hoist the Somali flag," along with an image showing the nation's blue flag featuring a white five-pointed star.
Republican Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno disputed the announcement regarding the alleged flag-raising event.
"There exists just one country's banner that ought to ever be displayed on U.S. governmental structures or premises," Moreno penned in. X .
He stated: "This move by Columbus is an utter embarrassment and undermines the grand festivities scheduled for Saturday celebrating this nation's 250th anniversary."
The day Somalia celebrates its independence falls on July 1st, whereas the United States will mark its 250th year of existence during next month’s July 4th.
The message, shared as well on Facebook, was later removed following significant criticism from conservative individuals.
A previously removed post also drew the interest of individuals within President Donald Trump's circle, including White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller who commented on it.
"Raising the Somali flag for America 250 in Columbus, Ohio," Miller wrote on X .
Republican Ohio State Representative Brian Stewart stated that the post represented "another method of promoting resistance to integration."
"If Somalia is truly a failing nation requiring us to accept tens of thousands of its people as 'refugees,' then we certainly shouldn't be commemorating its so-called 'independence' through condescending messages on social media," Stewart wrote on. X .
Columbus hosts the second-biggest Somali population in the United States, as reported by WBNS .
Over 60,000 Somalis reside in the city, according to the source.
Republican Texas Representative Brandon Gill was one of the legislators who spoke out against the statement.
"The United States of America is approaching its 250th anniversary, and Columbus, Ohio has chosen to fly the Somali flag," Gill wrote on X .
Former DHS Assistant Tricia McLaughlin also responded to the post regarding the Somali flag.
McLaughlin wrote, 'The capital city of Ohio raising the flag of a foreign country.' X .
A representative from Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther's office, Jennifer Fening, mentioned that the social media message "produced by a municipal agency incorrectly claimed that City Hall would hoist the Somali flag to commemorate Somali Independence Day."
"While the city acknowledges and values the desires of individuals globally to reside in liberty, this statement was incorrect and has since been removed," said the mayor's representative. Columbus Dispatch .
Nevertheless, the exact reason for posting remained somewhat unclear.
The city hall did not have a Somali flag displayed as of 3:20 pm local time on Wednesday, reported the source.
Last year, Somalia's Independence Day was observed in Columbus, where City Hall was illuminated in blue as a tribute to the nation's flag, reported Spectrum News 1.
There were no planned activities held at the City Hall to mark the nation this year.
In 2021, Ohio state Representative Dontavius Jarrells, a member of the Democratic party, helped preside over a lighting ceremony at Columbus City Hall.
This was then followed by a flag-raising ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse premises.
The Daily Mail has contacted the mayor's office in Columbus as well as the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department seeking their response.
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