Flag Burning in U.S. May Lead to Arrest, Trump Announces

TDT | Manama

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U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing federal prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against people who burn American flags during protests.

The order asks U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to review cases of flag burning and determine if offenders can be charged under other laws, such as disturbing the peace or violating environmental regulations.

The move comes despite a 1989 Supreme Court decision in Texas v. Johnson, which ruled that burning the American flag is a form of political expression protected under the First Amendment. That ruling invalidated flag-burning bans in 48 states.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump criticized the court ruling. “All over the country they’re burning flags,” he said. “Through a very sad court, I guess it was a 5-4 decision, they called it freedom of speech.”

Although Trump suggested that flag burners could face up to a year in jail, the executive order does not specify penalties. He has long called for stricter measures against flag burning, previously proposing jail time or even loss of citizenship for offenders.

Public opinion appears to support Trump’s stance. A 2020 YouGov poll found about half of Americans favored banning flag burning, while a 2023 survey showed nearly 60% consider it “always unacceptable.”