A mayor in Washington state blew up on an LGBTQ activist after she described the city flying the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag as a “political stunt” during the public comment portion of the city council meeting on Tuesday.

The exchange took place near the end of the Newcastle City Council meeting between Mayor Robert Clark and a woman whose first name is Jen. Newcastle is a suburb of Seattle.

Jen was the first person to speak after Clark opened the floor for public comment, and she began by stating she hopes the mayor will support the pride flag “in proclamation this year” since he has a “new-found appreciation” for flags besides the American flag.

City of Newcastle Mayor Robert Clark said he was “pissed” after a woman stated her “concern” about the POW/MIA flag flying over city hall after not wanting a pride flag to fly. (City of Newcastle/YouTube)

“This country was founded because veterans lost their lives. Hundreds of thousands of people died for this country so that you could fly your pride flag,” Clark said while looking in her direction.

He apologized for being “pissed” and “out of line,” but warned her “do not ever disparage veterans in my presence.”

“Those 82,000 people who never came home will never have a chance to have a family or grow up while you can fly your pride flag,” he said. “They sacrificed their lives all over the world for America and for freedom around the world.”

The mayor appeared to be aware of Jen’s opinions, stating that he “tolerates” her comments despite them always being “on the attack” and “libelous.”

“I tolerate it because, you know, you probably can’t help yourself, but don’t ever disparage veterans in front of me,” he said as someone in the audience could be heard trying to talk back.

“Don’t ever disparage veterans in front of me,” Clark repeated. 

“And we’re done,” he said before opening up the floor to the next speaker.