A “queer” Washington State city councilwoman has apologized after her critique of the American flag prompted a flood of outrage.
Speaking at a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Monday, councilmember Isabel Mata revealed that she finds the so-called pride flag to be more relatable than the American flag.
“To me, a pride flag is way more relatable than an American flag,” she 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. As the most diverse city in all of Snohomish County, I don’t think that I’m the only one,” she added.
Isabel Mata is a migrant. She is also a City Councilwoman. She does not want to assimilate to American values. She won’t fly the American flag.
Isabel definitely doesn’t deserve to be here. pic.twitter.com/m9Bq0DhsgG
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) May 7, 2026
The remarks from the self-identified “queer” and “neurodivergent” leftist were made during a discussion about the fate of Wilcox Park, also known as “Flag Park,” where 27 versions of the American flag are displayed.
“This community is filled with so many beautiful cultures and diverse backgrounds and all of these things, yet we have 27 iterations of the same flag, some representing parts of American history that, frankly, are not great,” Mata complained, according to Fox News.
According to the Lynnwood Times, her stunning statements irritated “hundreds of residents and veterans.”
Others were less surprised by her remarks because, according to local radio show host Jason Rantz of station KTTH, Mata “is a radical” who, as an example, previously pushed a resolution that would have forced local police to arrest federal immigration agents.
The furor against Mata was large enough that she eventually backed down and apologized for what she’d said.
“I apologize for the way I expressed myself, and I mean that sincerely,” she told Fox News. “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, and I did not. I have deep respect for everyone who has served under that flag,” she added.
In a more formal statement shared with the Times, Mata addressed veterans directly.
“I want to speak especially to the veterans and military families in our community,” she said. “You carried that flag. You watched it draped over the caskets of people you loved. You know what it cost in a way that most of us never will. My words should have reflected that weight, and they didn’t. I am sorry.”
“To me, the American flag represents a promise: that no matter who you are or where your story begins, you can build a life here, serve your community, and belong. That promise is worth protecting, and worth honoring far more carefully than I did in that moment,” she added.
I’m an immigrant and CANNOT relate to the LGBTQIA+ flag. I would not fly one.
As an American I CAN relate to the American flag and would gladly and proudly fly it.
If you cannot relate to the American flag you don’t belong in the United States of AMERICA.
🇺🇸 USA USA USA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/517GJVrPsv
— Reconquista (@moraltreason) May 7, 2026
The councilwoman also took a shot at some of her critics for the crude, belligerent way they have been responding to her.
“I also need to say something I will not soften,” she began. “Since this video was shared, I have received messages, emails, and calls calling me ‘vile scum of the earth,’ fa–ot, retard, jew pig, and c-nt. I could go on.”
“I am sharing these words not for shock value, but because they deserve to be seen in plain daylight. This is the reality of being a woman in public office. It is unacceptable, it is cowardly, and I will not respond to anyone who communicates that way — not now, not ever. Disagreement is welcome; abuse is not,” she added.
Meanwhile, in her statement to Fox News, she also suggested she had a point about the many flavors of the U.S. flag at Wilcox Park.
“I believe there is room, in a city as diverse as Lynnwood, to celebrate the many cultures, identities, and communities that make it great, alongside the American flag, not instead of it,” she maintained.
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V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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