Not for the first time, President Donald Trump erupted late last week. This time it was in response to a move made by Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
Esper had issued a new military-wide directive that was a de facto ban on the display of the Confederate flag.
CNN reports sources say Trump was fuming over Esper's carefully worded memo that did not mention the flag by name.
However, he effectively banned it from being flown on military installations by not naming it.
According to CNN, Trump has declined to denounce the Confederate flag in recent weeks.
Instead, he's said those who see it as a source of pride should be able to continue flying it, as a matter of free speech.
Esper's job remains safe for now, though the relationship between the two has significantly deteriorated in recent months.
What's telling is what Esper is not saying. In a 10-minute thank-you video for troops, he didn't mention the commander in chief once.