Today, politicians are wearing a variety of lapel pins that serve as symbols of their political beliefs, allegiances, and causes they support:
- Some Republican officials have been seen wearing gold lapel pins featuring the profile of former President Donald Trump, signaling loyalty and commitment to him. For example, Brendan Carr, chair of the FCC, briefly wore a gold Trump profile pin, which sparked attention as a notable departure from the usual American flag pin and suggested a shift toward personal veneration over institutional symbolism
- American flag lapel pins remain common among politicians as a visible sign of patriotism and national loyalty, especially during public appearances and speeches
- Some members of Congress, particularly Republicans, have worn lapel pins shaped like miniature AR-15 rifles to express support for the Second Amendment and gun rights. These pins have been controversial and criticized by Democrats and gun control advocates as insensitive to victims of gun violence
- At various times, politicians also wear pins representing specific causes or events. For example, British MPs wear wheat-sheaf badges to support British farming on designated days
. Similarly, Democrats at the 2024 State of the Union wore pins supporting abortion rights, gun violence prevention, and Ukraine
In summary, lapel pins worn by politicians today range from national flags and cause-related symbols to personalized pins like those featuring Trump’s likeness or AR-15 rifles, each conveying distinct political messages and affiliations
