Imagine a small suburban village caught in a national firestorm over a single flag—a “Trump Is My President” banner—that sparked threats, federal intervention, and a fierce debate over free speech.
Newsmax reported that the Village of Croton-on-Hudson in suburban New York has withdrawn a zoning violation against resident Leonard “Lenny” Amicola for displaying his pro-Trump flag, following intense public pressure, escalating threats, and a pointed letter from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
This saga began when Amicola, a disabled Vietnam veteran and 67-year resident of the village, hoisted his political banner between two trees on his property, a practice he’s maintained since 2021.
The village initially cited Amicola with a zoning violation, labeling the flag a “banner” under a code typically reserved for commercial signage, and issued an appearance ticket as part of a broader enforcement sweep that flagged 17 non-compliant locations.
While officials claimed “voluntary compliance” resolved most other cases, Amicola’s situation exploded into a “national spectacle,” fueled by Newsmax coverage that framed the citation as government overreach against a veteran’s right to express his views.
“Straightforward code enforcement matters, not a free speech issue,” insisted Mayor Brian Pugh, but that bland dismissal hardly holds up when a man’s personal statement on private land gets tangled in bureaucratic red tape.
As the story gained traction, local support for Amicola surged, with neighbors rallying behind him after seeing Newsmax segments, even as he faced harassment like rocks thrown at his flag and personal threats.
Behind closed doors, village staff weren’t spared either, enduring “abusive messages and threats of violence,” now under investigation, a sad testament to how quickly a zoning spat can spiral into chaos.
“Village staff have been falsely accused of engaging in a politically motivated enforcement action… categorically false,” read an official statement, but one wonders if the optics of targeting a Trump flag in a progressive-leaning area didn’t fan those flames of suspicion.
Enter the DOJ, which sent a stern letter to Croton-on-Hudson, reminding officials of its power to launch civil enforcement if constitutional rights are at stake and urging a swift review of the zoning ordinance for compliance.
Shortly after, on a late Tuesday, the village rescinded Amicola’s violation and ticket, with the village attorney announcing a suspension of zoning code enforcement during an ongoing review—hardly a coincidence given the federal nudge.
“Our village government is not in a position to contend with continuous anonymous abuse… and a federal intervention regarding a minor civil citation,” grumbled local officials, though perhaps a lighter touch on enforcement could have avoided this mess altogether.
Amicola’s attorney, Roseann Schuyler, didn’t mince words on Newsmax, arguing, “Mr. Amicola is not advertising anything. He’s making a political statement on his own private property.” Her point cuts deep—why treat a patriot’s flag like a fast-food billboard?
Schuyler also suggested a double standard, noting that flags supporting other causes might not face such scrutiny, a jab at selective enforcement that resonates with anyone tired of perceived political bias in local governance.
After Newsmax aired the story, Schuyler reported a groundswell of community backing, with many linking to the coverage on social media, proving that when small-town bureaucracy overreaches, everyday folks—especially those skeptical of woke over-policing—will push back hard.