Liberal Journalist Melts Down Hearing the National Anthem in Nation's Capital

A left-wing columnist is drawing backlash after openly griping about hearing the American national anthem in Washington, D.C. — the capital of the very country whose anthem she finds objectionable.

Jamie Stiehm, a longtime contributor to establishment outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, published a piece Thursday in The Capital Times lamenting that the “Star-Spangled Banner,” while perfectly acceptable in “ballparks and stadiums,” becomes “dissonant” when performed before a classical music concert. In today’s political environment, she argued, patriotic tradition simply doesn’t fit.

Stiehm complained that classical music “transcends” national identity, but the anthem — especially now — pulls the arts back into what she described as the influence of President Donald Trump.

After attending a performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Stiehm aired her frustration that the National Symphony Orchestra has reportedly begun performing the anthem prior to concerts under new leadership.

“Readers, President Donald Trump’s new regime at the beloved center decreed the National Symphony Orchestra must stand and play the national anthem before every concert. How dissonant,” she wrote.

She continued: “Ballparks and stadiums are fine venues for that tune, but classical music is an international language. … This is just one more way Trump leaves his fingerprints on our city scene, after tearing down the White House East Wing.”

President Trump now serves as chair of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees and appointed former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell as the center’s president. Grenell, in comments to the Daily Caller News Foundation, emphasized that the institution under Trump’s leadership will be a “place for everyone,” irrespective of political leanings.

Stiehm described attending the performance while “seeking spiritual solace,” adding:

“Yes, I loved the crashing chords of the ‘Organ Symphony’ by Saint-Saens and the lyrical light notes of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1.

“‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ not so much.”

She concluded her column with a pointed anecdote, paraphrasing another attendee who suggested the moment reminded her of “her German girlhood” — noting that the woman had been a young girl during World War II.

When contacted by the DCNF, Stiehm said her article spoke for itself and reiterated her view that “there is a time and place for everything.”