PA House Removes Republican Wearing American Flag-Themed Suit Jacket [WATCH]

A Pennsylvania Republican lawmaker was removed from the floor of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives after refusing to take off an American flag-themed suit jacket that House leadership determined violated the chamber’s dress standards, as reported by Trending Politics News.

State Rep. Eric Davanzo, who represents the 58th District in Westmoreland County, entered the House chamber wearing a jacket featuring red and white stripes along with a blue tie decorated with white stars.

The incident occurred just days before the Fourth of July holiday and during nationwide observances marking America’s 250th anniversary.

BREAKING: PA State Rep Eric Davanzo (R) says he was removed from the House floor for wearing a patriotic jacket ahead of America’s 250th pic.twitter.com/LOEaeNuN8N

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 1, 2026

According to Davanzo, he selected the outfit to recognize the upcoming Independence Day celebration.

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The Pennsylvania House is currently controlled by a narrow Democratic majority, giving Democrats authority over leadership positions, including Speaker Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia.

Local television station WTAE reported that House security personnel approached Davanzo after he entered the chamber and informed him they were acting on a directive from the Speaker’s office.

He was told he could either remove the jacket or leave the House floor because the attire had been classified as a “costume” that did not meet the chamber’s expectations for professional dress.

Rather than remove the jacket, Davanzo chose to leave the chamber.

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Following the incident, the Republican lawmaker defended his decision in a Facebook post.

“KICKED OFF THE FLOOR FOR WEARING A PATRIOTIC JACKET? That’s right, it happened,” Davanzo wrote.

He later expanded on his position in a video posted online.

“I will never apologize for putting patriotism before politics. We love our country. We love America, so I’m happy to put this on. I’m proud to wear this,” he said.

The incident took place during a legislative session that included discussions surrounding Pennsylvania’s state budget, which had not been finalized before the constitutional deadline.

Davanzo said he viewed the patriotic attire as a way to bring a positive note to the proceedings while lawmakers continued budget negotiations.

According to Fox News, some Democratic lawmakers privately disagreed with Davanzo’s removal after the incident. However, the Speaker’s office maintained that the decision was consistent with existing standards governing attire on the House floor.

Nicole Reigelman, a spokesperson for Speaker McClinton, said the jacket did not satisfy the chamber’s expectations for professional dress and distinguished it from other themed clothing worn by members.

While House rules do not provide detailed clothing requirements, enforcement of decorum standards is left to the discretion of the presiding officer.

The decision prompted additional debate over how those standards are applied.

Davanzo and several Republican lawmakers pointed to clothing worn during Pride Month, noting that Democratic members and staff had worn apparel featuring Pride colors, including shirts, hats, and tennis shoes, without being instructed to remove those items or leave the chamber.

“They (Democrats) were wearing pride stuff all month. They wore pride-themed shirts, hats, and tennis shoes and were never told to remove them,” Davanzo said.

Speaker McClinton’s office responded that clothing featuring Pride colors was considered professional attire rather than costumes and said the ruling involving Davanzo’s jacket followed precedent established under previous House leadership.

Republican lawmakers also questioned whether the dress standards had been applied consistently.

Among them was Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa, who argued that while rules governing costumes and appropriate attire serve a purpose, the Speaker’s authority should have limits.

Krupa wrote that although dress codes and prohibitions on costumes are reasonable, “our House rules do NOT make the Speaker the fashion police.”

Republican Rep. Tim O’Neal also questioned the application of the chamber’s dress standards, joining other members who argued that the incident raised broader questions about consistency in enforcing House decorum rules.

The dispute unfolded as lawmakers continued work on the state budget while preparing for Fourth of July celebrations and events commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The incident has since generated discussion over legislative decorum, enforcement of House rules, and whether clothing displaying patriotic themes should be treated differently from other symbolic attire worn in the Pennsylvania Capitol.

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