Republican lawmaker ejected from Pa. State House over patriotic suit

A Republican lawmaker was kicked out of the Democratic-controlled State House chamber in Pennsylvania for his choice of patriotic attire celebrating the founding of the United States in the Commonwealth 250 years ago this week.

The dispute comes as Americans prepare to celebrate the nation’s sesquicentennial, with the Trump administration staging the Great American State Fair and the Shapiro administration staging America250PA concerts and fairs from Pittsburgh to Wilkes-Barre.

America’s most prominent swing state has long had a closely divided government; Gov. Josh Shapiro controls the executive branch, Democrats have a one-seat majority in the House and Republicans have a four-seat majority in the Senate. This has led to controversy this week, such as one involving State Rep. Eric Davanzo.

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Davanzo, who represents a portion of Westmoreland County between Pittsburgh and Greensburg, said he was shocked by House Speaker Joanna McClinton’s reaction in Southwest Philadelphia when she arrived at Tuesday’s session wearing a red, white and blue suit and tie.

Davanzo told Fox News Digital he walked around the room, greeting his colleagues and eventually stopping to chat with House Minority Whip Timothy O’Neal, R-Washington.

“We were talking, and when a House photographer took a photo, I turned around… and next thing I knew, Whip O’Neal was gone.”

PRIDE FLAGS SCALE CONCUSSION AFTER BEING DISPLAYED WITH VETERANS FLAGS IN THE TOWN OF LONG ISLAND

Pennsylvania House Republicans (JEN JONES)

“He comes back a few minutes later and says, ‘hey, you’re not going to like this,'” Davanzo said, describing McClinton informing minority leaders that his attire was inappropriate.

“I thought, ‘What? You’ve got to be kidding,'” Davanzo said before learning that McClinton wanted him out of the House.

Davanzo initially decided to stay on the ground, against the wishes of Democratic leaders, until House security informed him that McClinton was demanding he either remove his jacket or leave.

PRIDE FLAGS SCALE CONCUSSION AFTER BEING DISPLAYED WITH VETERANS FLAGS IN THE TOWN OF LONG ISLAND

Pennsylvania state Rep. Eric Davanzo, R-Westmoreland, attends a hearing in Harrisburg on June 30, 2026, wearing patriotic garb. (Pennsylvania House Republicans)

“Instead of taking off my jacket, I left the House Floor,” he said.

Davanzo said that while it was clear he objected to McClinton’s America 250-themed trial, some Democratic lawmakers later came to him at the Capitol and told him they disagreed with his impeachment.

A Philadelphia Democrat, Rep. Jordan Davis of Gray’s Ferry, had told Davanzo that the suit was “a very colorful jacket that the representative wore today. From what I understand, it’s very patriotic.”

Davanzo said the House leadership had previously supported thematic attire in the chamber.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Davanzo stated that June is Pride Month and said, “They were asked to dress in pride colors because they were going to take a House photo on the ground.” he said. “No problem. We can take pictures of ourselves out of pride, but we can’t appear as a patriot and take pictures, apparently we can’t even go up to the House of Representatives,” Davanzo said. He then read a statement from McClinton about Pride Month and how it encourages people to be “authentic” and “love freely.”

“You can love freely only because brave men and women died for this flag,” Davanzo said.

“They died for our country. This is complete hypocrisy. You’re allowed to wear tennis shoes on the ground. You’re allowed to wear top hats. You can wear camouflage jackets. That’s all fine, but don’t show up in patriotic garb because you’ll be asked to leave.”

He noted that the Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago Saturday, about 150 miles east of his district in Philadelphia, and that he was a “Bicentennial Baby,” born in 1976 and celebrating his 50th birthday this year.

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Davanzo also leads the America First Caucus in the State House, which he said focuses on efforts such as bolstering manufacturing in the increasingly post-industrial Keystone State and providing for an “automatic death penalty” for illegal immigrants convicted of killing Pennsylvanians.

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“I introduced a bill that would give every family in Pennsylvania a $250 check so we can celebrate America[250]. This is what I stand for, this is what I believe. “I just represent who I am and my family back home,” he said.

“This big celebration is coming up. I want to be a patriot, why not? What’s so wrong with me?” said Davanzo, who wore the same suit during the interview.

Fox News Digital has reached out to McClinton for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Hannah Brennan contributed to this report.