A resident of the Great Bend Housing Authority (GBHA), better known at the High Rise apartments, is unhappy with a political, pro-Trump flag hanging in the lobby. He has complained to the manager, who told the Great Bend Tribune she is exercising her First Amendment right to free speech and does not intend to remove the flag.

The red, white and blue flag with stars and stripes has the words “Trump – 2024 – Take America Back.”

Kevin C. Cordaro said he took his complaint the building manager, Lynn Flemming, who is the executive director of GBHA. However, since she is the person who had the flag put up, nothing changed. He has also sent a complaint to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

His Sept. 9 letter to HUD states he has been a resident of the High Rise since Dec. 22, 2024. “In all that time, Trump paraphernalia of one form or another has been present. Generally in the form of a flag. The flags have been placed in the main lobby, nestled between the main elevators and the maintenance manager’s office, as it is the employees who have hung it (per the manager on 9/8/25).”

“To get anything for an application, you have to see that flag,” he told the Tribune.

He said he complained to a building manager on Sept. 8 that posting political paraphernalia is against federal rules for buildings receiving federal funds.

According to the High Rise website, “Great Bend Housing Authority operates a Section 8 assistance program for low-income persons in Great Bend, Kansas, that are seeking housing on the private market. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), this program assists low-income persons with affordable, decent, safe, and sanitary housing provided the unit passes a physical inspection.”

Cordaro said he believes that the employees at the High Rise are subject to restrictions on posting political messages. For example, the 1939 Hatch Act forbids the intimidation or bribery of voters and restricts political campaign activities by federal employees. It prohibits using any public funds designated for relief or public works for electoral purposes.

While a HUD employee displaying a Trump flag could be a violation of the Hatch Act, Flemming said she is not a HUD employee.

Cordaro spoke to the Tribune and also provided a copy of the letter sent to HUD.

“I spoke to Shannon, the assistant manager, as (Flemming) was absent, and inquired about the flag. I was told, in no uncertain terms, “Lynn gave them ‘special permission’ so it’s never coming down.’”

The complaint continues, “The placement of the flag also means it is in full view of the applications for rental units in the building, Section 8, Veterans services and more.

“Is there a message to be sent here?

“You must vote this way to enter?

“You must think this way to stay?

“We have keys to your apartments and we love guns while promoting political violence? ...”

Cordaro said he is a late stage Sarcoidosis patient, a terminal condition, and he disagrees with the message and the policies of the Trump administration. “Why is HUD promoting this?”

“Let us not pretend this is not a problem in the current aura of politics,” he wrote to HUD.

He also suggested a remedy. “Perhaps retraining and reassigning the management staff will be enough, unless of course, more illegal or politically fueled activities are found against the residents of the building. I have no recommendations for the MAGA resident/employees other than no political clothing while on the clock.”

So far, Cordaro said, he hasn’t gotten a response that will lead to action.

“I’ve spoken to three separate agents at HUD and HUD of KC. I have been forwarded to DC, Public and Indian Housing (which is in charge of the Housing Choice Voucher Program) and again, KC and then FHA (the Federal Housing Administration),” he told the Tribune in an email. “Everyone can cite the rule, quote the violation, but no one knows who enforces it at this point. So ‘many vacancies’ one person stated. So they keep transferring me up or laterally.”

Last week, in response to his complaints so far, he received a generic email directing him to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in Washington, D.C.

“No run around. The young lady recognized the violations (plural), stated there was enough to move the complaint onward and upward. She promised nothing, but took my info and did say a representative would investigate the claim.”

Flemming said this isn’t something HUD is responsible for. She stands by her choice to place the flag in the lobby.

“There’s a reason our founding fathers prioritized free speech as a First Amendment right,” she said.