Columbus, Ohio, has become the center of a social media firestorm after its parks and recreation department posted about raising the Somali flag at City Hall to celebrate Somali Independence Day. The move has sparked backlash from conservative commentators and residents who view it as inappropriate, particularly in light of the approaching 250th anniversary of American independence.

The Columbus Rec & Parks department posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday, stating, "Happy Somali Independence Day! As we celebrate the unification of the Trust Territory of Somaliland and the State of Somaliland into the Somali Republic in 1960, City Hall will be raising the flag of Somalia."

The post quickly drew sharp reactions from various conservative figures. White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller questioned the timing, posting on X, "Columbus, Ohio raising the flag of Somalia for America 250." Journalist Mark Hemingway stated, "No American government building should ever be raising another country's flag."

Attorney and political commentator Mehek Cooke expressed her dismay, writing on X, "City Hall is not a foreign embassy. As an Ohioan, I am repulsed by the anti-Americanism here. Our leaders treat foreign nationalism as sacred while treating American patriotism as controversial. America’s public buildings should honor America."

Brigitte Gabriel, founder of ACT for America, criticized the action as "cultural surrender," asserting that "Other nations aren’t parallel cultures here to dominate ours. Remove that flag. Remove the officials who demand it."

Luke Rosiak, an investigative reporter who has reported on fraud concerns within the Somali community in Columbus, simply asked, "Excuse me?"

Ohio Republican State Rep. Brian Stewart commented on X, "One more way in which we encourage the refusal to assimilate."

Columbus is home to one of the largest Somali populations in the United States. The controversy comes as the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary.

Fox News Digital reached out to the city of Columbus for comment.