‘Thin Blue Line’ flag supporters greet Hogan, Elrich in Montgomery Co.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich agree on one thing when it comes to the “Thin Blue Line” flag: Both say the symbol has been “misappropriated.”

Hogan criticized Elrich for refusing a gift of the flag to a Montgomery County police station. Hogan, who has said the flag supports the work of police, remarked Thursday that the flag had been made into a controversial symbol, but that was “far-left nonsense.”

Elrich’s position is that the flag was appropriated by hate groups — that it went from being a symbol honoring police to a symbol of intimidation, “and I don’t need people to think that’s the flag we’re flying, and that’s my dilemma,” he said.

But Elrich’s rejection of the gifted flag to the 5th District police station should not be seen as a lack of support for police, he said. “I don’t have anything against police officers — this wasn’t meant as a slap at anybody,” Elrich said.

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