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Miami Lakes, FL - Several South Florida residents are voicing frustration after receiving notices demanding the removal of flags supporting President-elect Donald Trump from their Miami Lakes properties.
Resident Julio Gil, who has displayed pro-Trump flags since 2016, expressed shock upon receiving the letter.
The current flag outside his home is an American flag featuring the slogans “Trump 2024” and “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
“It’s outrageous, it’s out of the ordinary,” Gil told Telemundo 51 in Spanish. “I think I can put whatever I want outside my house, whether it’s this flag or any other, whatever I want.”
The letter, dated January 9th and signed by a code compliance officer, stated the flags violated the town’s code: “In order to maintain the aesthetics of our community, your assistance is required in correcting the following conditions on your property which are currently in violation of the Town’s Code. We realize this may have been an oversight, but your prompt attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated.”
The notice then emphasized in bold, capital letters: “PLEASE REMOVE ALL POLITICAL SIGNS/FLAGS FROM THE PROPERTY.”
Gil was given seven days to comply or face a $500 daily fine, though the fine was not explicitly mentioned in the letter.
Another longtime resident, Rafael Perez, also received the warning and echoed Gil’s concerns.
“I’ve been living here 34 years, and I’ve never had a problem related to a flag in front of someone’s property,” Perez told NBC Miami, noting the same $500 fine per home.
In response to the backlash, the Miami Lakes Town Manager cited Article IX of the town’s code on temporary political signage.
In an email to the Town Council, the Town Manager explained that the enforcement began on December 20th, 2024—more than six weeks after the general election and over three weeks past the local runoff election.
He emphasized the code enforcement sweep applied to all political signs, regardless of candidate or party affiliation.
Town Attorney Raul Gastesi defended the ordinance, stating it aligns with regulations in other municipalities.
“We want to keep our city in accordance with our code,” Gastesi told NBC Miami. “Our residents expect a certain level of appearance for our town, and administrators are doing their job.”
Gil, however, remains defiant.
“No, I’m not going to take my flag down,” he declared. “I’ll add 10 more flags. In fact, if my neighbors want, I’ll buy one for each of them on Amazon and hang it on their walls. We’re in a free country.”