President Donald Trump has signed an executive order {SEE HERE} intending to stop the burning of the American flag, when such activity is done with the intent to threaten, intimidate or incite violence toward the United States.
EXECUTIVE ORDER – “By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose. Our great American Flag is the most sacred and cherished symbol of the United States of America, and of American freedom, identity, and strength. Over nearly two-and-a-half centuries, many thousands of American patriots have fought, bled, and died to keep the Stars and Stripes waving proudly. The American Flag is a special symbol in our national life that should unite and represent all Americans of every background and walk of life. Desecrating it is uniquely offensive and provocative. It is a statement of contempt, hostility, and violence against our Nation — the clearest possible expression of opposition to the political union that preserves our rights, liberty, and security. Burning this representation of America may incite violence and riot. American Flag burning is also used by groups of foreign nationals as a calculated act to intimidate and threaten violence against Americans because of their nationality and place of birth.
Notwithstanding the Supreme Court’s rulings on First Amendment protections, the Court has never held that American Flag desecration conducted in a manner that is likely to incite imminent lawless action or that is an action amounting to “fighting words” is constitutionally protected. See Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397, 408-10 (1989).
My Administration will act to restore respect and sanctity to the American Flag and prosecute those who incite violence or otherwise violate our laws while desecrating this symbol of our country, to the fullest extent permissible under any available authority.
Sec. 2. Measures to Combat Desecration of the American Flag. (a) The Attorney General shall prioritize the enforcement to the fullest extent possible of our Nation’s criminal and civil laws against acts of American Flag desecration that violate applicable, content-neutral laws, while causing harm unrelated to expression, consistent with the First Amendment. This may include, but is not limited to, violent crimes; hate crimes, illegal discrimination against American citizens, or other violations of Americans’ civil rights; and crimes against property and the peace, as well as conspiracies and attempts to violate, and aiding and abetting others to violate, such laws.
(b) In cases where the Department of Justice or another executive department or agency (agency) determines that an instance of American Flag desecration may violate an applicable State or local law, such as open burning restrictions, disorderly conduct laws, or destruction of property laws, the agency shall refer the matter to the appropriate State or local authority for potential action.
(c) To the maximum extent permitted by the Constitution, the Attorney General shall vigorously prosecute those who violate our laws in ways that involve desecrating the American Flag and may pursue litigation to clarify the scope of the First Amendment exceptions in this area.
(d) The Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting within their respective authorities, shall deny, prohibit, terminate, or revoke visas, residence permits, naturalization proceedings, and other immigration benefits, or seek removal from the United States, pursuant to Federal law, including 8 U.S.C. 1182(a), 8 U.S.C. 1424, 8 U.S.C. 1427, 8 U.S.C. 1451(c), and 8 U.S.C. 1227(a), whenever there has been an appropriate determination that foreign nationals have engaged in American Flag-desecration activity under circumstances that permit the exercise of such remedies pursuant to Federal law.
Sec. 3. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Justice.”
Thank you President Trump.
It is about time.
Americans have shed blood for that flag, stands for America, freedom, and love of country.
My husband did two tours of duty in Vietnam.
Eighteen months here!
Pa thanks for your service
I know I don’t have to tell you what you guys and gals faced coming home. All I want to say is a humble thanks for doing your duty for our country in another proxy war.
Will the general public ever wake up to the lies that the MSM continue to propagate? (Ukriane, etc)
I lost a son in the Afghanistan shit hole but not to bullets. He got wounded. Came home after two tours and the gov put him on opioids for 6 months then cut him off like he had leprosy. Long story short he OD”ed after two years of fighting the demon. So to see you posting here cheers my heart that you made it through physically and mentally alive.
I do believe the tide is turning but as you know it never brings back the souls of those who gave it all.
Thor, it’s heart wrenching to know what has befallen your family.
You and your brave warrior are in my prayers.
Hugs and much respect.
BE
bless him and thank him for his service….
Hugs, love and salutes to hubby.
Handle this like the NFA arena.
If you want to burn a flag you first have to buy a $2,000 stamp, good for one flag. If you’re caught burning a flag without having purchased the flag burn stamp then you are subject to 10 years in jail.
If it was legal for the second amendment it should be legal for the first amendment.
Brilliant!
https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/article/2206946/how-to-properly-dispose-of-worn-out-us-flags/
To destroy old American flags aren’t they supposed to be burned?
Yes but that usually doesn’t happen in the middle of a crowded street, nor does the military wear balaclavas and jump around hooting and shouting obscenities while live-streaming it with the caption “F America”.
I assume that a ceremonial and respectful disposal of worn-out flags would not be a criminal act under this EO.
If you take an old flag to any VFW hall they will dispose of it properly for you.
Yes, ceremonially and respectfully.
The President is correctly addressing disrespectful and dangerous incitement to violence.
Big difference.
Is that done as “Hate Speech”? Or is burning a flag during a riot just a public service?
… which of course would put the stamp-buyer on the national flag-burner registry.
Best. President. EVER!!!!!!!!!
I do agree one should not desecrate the flag of our great nation. However, how is this reconcilled with the 1st amedment. What to me is more troubleing is that there are people in our nation that want to desecrate it.
Seven wrongs don’t make a right.
I am pointing out the hypocrisy of the Left. The same applies to social media “hate speech” double standards. Now, they are crying about “free speech” rights.
Can we walk around carrying nooses as part of our Free Speech? Or, is that meant to incite violence against certain groups of people?
Can I burn the Koran in the USA or does that incite violence?
Maybe you didn’t read the entire article thoroughly:
“…, the Court has never held that American Flag desecration conducted in a manner that is likely to incite imminent lawless action or that is an action amounting to “fighting words” is constitutionally protected.”
CONDUCTED IN A MANNER THAT IS LIKELY TO INCITE IMMINENT LAWLESSNESS
I am also pointing out the hypocrisy of Muslims in the USA who will happily burn the USA flag but then be offended (or worse) when their Koran gets burned. They weren’t raised in “free speech” USA so they think that they get to decide what is “free speech” and what is offensive.
We can be arrested for praying outside of an abortion clinic. So much for free speech.
We are so far down the slippery slope when it comes to protecting the sensibilities of the people on the Left be it pride flags, Koran, or abortion clinics that something needs to be done. None of this speech INCITES IMMINENT LAWLESSNESS.
The hypocrisy of the left needs no pointing out as it is clearly visible and the left is extremely proud of their hypocrisy.
I’m lovin’ it.
Do it some more.
Jesus is ok with the USA flag.
.
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. Acts 17:26
.
Any flag about “pride” has no blessing from the creator.
.
Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall. Prov. 16:18
Sorry I agree with Mousey. Your examples are probably local ordinances and the people have no money to persue a civil rights violation and no one is going to finance their case.
Flag burning will have the ACLU and every Democrat billionaire funding the case which is a federal case. I see even the most conservative justices supporting free speech, and you know the liberal justices will support free speech when the defendant is a liberal to advance their liberal causes, not the Constitution.
<Seven wrongs don’t make a right.>
And when it comes to creating Caucasians…
Two Wongs don’t make a white 🙂
It may not, but I bet you will see quite a few US flags being burned in the next few weeks just to spite Bad Orange Man.
And the left and their media enablers will defend it. The claim retribution if any are arrested.
Just like they are doing with illegal aliens and criminals in blue cities.
If it’s a hate crime to burn an lgbtq flag, then it’s a hate crime to burn the US flag. Why is one different from the other? I’m insulted you burned the US flag. If I’m offended, doesn’t that mean you are harassing me and creating a hostile environment?
I agree. Let the Left live by the Rules that they created. They started down this road now let them accept the results.
Time for the bugs to meet the windshield.
And right there is why the real patriots of our country are fed up with the BS of the takeover of our judicial system and why it needs and enema.
Splatt!
I heard there is a line of distinguished judges lining up to have their voices heard; but not ours!
like flies to pasture patties.
Read the entire EO for the answer to your question and the actual intent of it. Reading really brings clarity.
I’m thinking maybe you didn’t read the posted Presidential order explaining “the First Amendment notwithstanding”.
He’s on solid legal ground.
Dear Mousey, you have a Constitutional right to free speech. You do not have Constitution immunity from your actions, otherwise anyone protesting the government could burn down the Capitol, chop down the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin, etc. — all actions predicated on your right to protest the government.
He’s gotta be pushin’ eighty by now..
But it would be cool if it were called the “Thanks, Rick Monday” executive order.
It is Monday, after all..
Rick Monday will turn 80 on November 20.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=monday001rob
AND he was wearing a Cubs uniform when that happened.
AND that of the USMC…God Bless this American.
Rick Monday = USA Patriot
This should have hundreds of likes……….
Rick Monday
Position: Centerfielder
Bats: Left • Throws: Left
6-3, 193lb (190cm, 87kg)
Born: November 20, 1945 (Age: 79-279d) in Batesville, AR
Draft: Drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in the 1st round (1st) of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft from Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ).
High School: Santa Monica HS (Santa Monica, CA)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mondari01.shtml
Notwithstanding the Supreme Court’s rulings on First Amendment protections, the Court has never held that American Flag desecration conducted in a manner that is likely to incite imminent lawless action or that is an action amounting to “fighting words” is constitutionally protected. See Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397, 408-10 (1989).
Imagine how the “free speech” people would feel if we started walking around carrying nooses. Talk about inciting imminent lawless action amounting to fighting words.
As a disabled combat vet ,old tunnel rat from nam…..
to see videos or photos of someone disrespecting my fellow vets ,that gave so much for that flag for all the gold star moms and families that bore the grief……
to see them burn the flag ….just tears at my very soul.
I proudly fly old glory every day and I try my best to pull myself up from this wheel chair and stand for the anthem.
Im a patriot then now and always………….
honor that flag protect it and all it stands for.
Respect, and gratitude for your service bjork. ✊
Ad rem…bless you thank you
Thank you bjorkdream for your service and thank you for all the peaceful, beautiful and serene photos you post on the open thread. Have a very blessed day.
Thank you ,bjork. God Bless
Thank you for your service bjorkdream and many thanks for all the great scenic images that you post.
Thank you, bjorkdream.
As a lifelong (Northern) Californian, I remember fondly the days of Gov. Ronald Reagan in the 60s and 70s. Even later, we had Republican George Deukmejian as Governor, and Republican senators and congressmen. There was never any question of patriotism.
Veteran, patriot B-52 Bob Dornan was a Congressman from Orange County. I recall that Rep. Dornan’s son might have gotten arrested, when he took action against some jerk burning the American flag.
Now, California has Congressmen like Zoe the Sow Lofgren and the equally porcine Loretta Sanchez, who replaced Rep. Dornan. These slobs would probably join in the flag-burning.
Lofgren, who lived in my downtown San Jose neighborhood, near the college, was often asked to be grand marshal of the Independence Day parade. As far back as I can remember, going back decades, I never once saw an American flag raised at her home.
I cringe every time I think how low California has sunk, replacing a true patriot like Bob Dornan with an America-hater like Sanchez, and electing commies like Lofgren.
I fly the flag over our house, 24/7/365. In the campaign seasons, I add one of my many Trump flags.
God Bless You, and keep it flying!
More EOs… more virtue signaling. They’ll have to prove in court that the burning violates an actual law on the books. People burn things they disagree with and they should have the freedom to do so.
Incitement to riot. Why else do you think they do it?
Trying to prove “intent” will be interesting, when this gets “tested”….and you know it will.
Oh dear, I disagree with the color of your house. What to do?
I don’t like the make of car you drive. Hmmm.
People do NOT have the freedom to burn what they disagree with, nope.
Were you okay with the people wearing MAGA hats or gear being assaulted too?
The EO clarifies what it stands on.
Most jurisdictions have laws and ordinances regulating public burning – of anything.
And, if the flag doesn’t belong to the person doing the burning, it can constitute arson.
Fail to clean up the mess and you can add littering to the charges.
Do it in the street and there’s obstructing traffic.
And, let’s not forget disorderly conduct.
Here in New York we have what are known as the Selected Laws.
They constitute an assortment of laws covering everything from railroads to the environment to pool halls to fish and game.
After 29 years as a cop, I can come up with all kinds of things to charge a flag burner with, depending on where, when, and how they do it.
I don’t need a law specifically prohibiting flag burning.
Not a good look by Trump. The First Amendment is far more important to me than the flag. The flag in part stands for the right for it to be burned. This EO seems to imply that the flag is a symbol of the US government and not a symbol of a people united by their inalienable rights against the predations of government.
I would like to see the eradication of certain flags flying on vehicles, myself.
OK, I’ll play. The same document that gives someone the solemn right to burn that flag, gives me the solemn right to put the fire out.
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
Most that actually read the the actual Executive Order will end up seeing President Trump looking mighty fine and be impressed with it being grounded in current laws and court decisions. I still get surprised when I realize I have been uniformed on something I had thought I always knew. (Sort of like finding out how many of each animal went onto Noah’s Ark).
This EO is an extremely carefully drafted document.
Read its nuance, then read this:
https://www.freedomforum.org/non-citizens-protected-first-amendment/
To say the EO bars the burning of the US flag by a native born heritage American citizen in his or her own backyard as a means of political protest is to overstate what the order does.
There is a bit of a sleight of hand here.
If you frame the EO not as a reaction to what has occurred in the past (emotions) but as a strategic move similar to digging the final few catapults for the removal of enemy troops in a battle in which the armies are encamped and will be marching at first light, you will be able to see why it says the things it says, and also, why now.
Well said, Alex.
I am loving this president more and more every day!!!!
Trump sure does bring out tge worst in people…
Why is Tim Walz having a meltdown about not burning US flags???
So clever.
So original.
So girlish.
So newscummy.
China Tim, it is ugly to see all of the has been dems struggling for relevancy.
They are ugly people inside and out so I suppose it is fitting.
The should be these. Sorry I didn’t catch in time for an edit.
Tim Walz goes berserk on-stage in a fit of rage — ENCOURAGES Democrats nationwide to start burning flags with Donald Trump’s face on them en masse
“There are a hell of a lot of flags with his picture on it that are gonna get burned!”
Ummmm…….Doesn’t Uncle Timmy need to buy some carbon credits first, before all those flags go up in smoke?
I can see Tampon flappin’ his lip and hear him squealin’ but I don’t see him lighting anything.
Pussy.
Timmy will make more young boys use tampons in a protest against this EO.
We’ll see, but I think it unlikely that this order will withstand legal scrutiny. It will be interesting to find out, though.
The order does not create a new federal crime for flag burning itself, as that would directly conflict with longstanding Supreme Court precedents protecting it as symbolic speech under the First Amendment. Instead, it instructs the Department of Justice, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, to prioritize investigations and prosecutions in cases where flag desecration is linked to other violations of federal, state, or local laws—such as inciting riots, violent crimes, property damage, open burning restrictions, disorderly conduct, or threats to public safety.
…..and most importantly burning the flag by non-US citizens on US soil………illegals burning the US flag at protests……they really don;t have the right to do that here in the USA.
If you’re here illegally you have some basic human rights but you do not have the same rights and privileges as a US citizen.
deport them for burning our flag and protesting………they do not have the right of freedom of assembly.
If it goes all the up the chain to the US Supreme Court, we may have a rare 9-0.
Similar to the ruling on militant tribunals.
Cynical Publius
@CynicalPublius
Ugh.
I cannot believe how many MAGA people are freaking out regarding the flag burning EO.
Please please PLEASE go read the actual EO and not what people are saying about it.
The EO itself is basically saying “enforce already existing laws” but is doing so in a manner as to goad Democrats into burning flags on TV.
Cont…
“only when it is intended to incite violence”???
And what mind reader is going to decide that???
Maybe the one who can hear the SOBs screaming “death to America…..?”
Precisely!
Even prior to George Floyd, there are plenty of iterations inciting violence.
My country tolerating it, particularly from non-citizens, has been frustrating.
Yep. Enough is enough.
SCOTUS was a 5/4 split when it ruled on this 40 years ago, which was a different era, when Americans were protesting US policies, with a focus on the Viet Nam war.
This is a totally different situation. Totally. Different. And this fact is recognized in the President’s EO, which very reasonably addresses the current dynamics and dangers.
Lots of folks confuse subjectively uninformed opinions with informed analysis based on having actually read the Presidential order. Very frustrating, indeed.
If ever there was an issue that separates those who only say they believe in free speech and those who really do, this is it.
Democrats Took the Bait on Trump’s Flag-Burning EO
Yep.
Hook, line and sinker.
“All this for a damn flag.”
~~Chewbacca
What a difference real leadership makes.
My country and our flag are precious to me too. I was reared with a love for God and country at home and in school, and it has never departed. However, we had best keep a watchful eye as we move into a new era. Rutherford is a Constitutional Law Group in Charlottesville, VA – John Whitehead has standing before the Supreme Court.
__________________________________________________
In 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Texas v. Johnson that burning the flag of the United States in protest is an act of protected free speech under the First Amendment.
Today, that ruling matters more than ever, yet there is an important distinction: the First Amendment protects the right to burn your own flag as political expression but not to vandalize public property in the process.
That distinction matters: the Constitution protects dissent, not destruction.
And it’s exactly that distinction—between lawful protest and punished expression—that makes the flag-burning debate so important.
What we are witnessing, in the flag-burning debate and far beyond, is a culture war in which political tribes police thought, speech, and even symbolic protest. Those who refuse to conform—whether they burn a flag, take a knee, question authority, or simply refuse to parrot the official line—are demonized, deplatformed, and sometimes even criminalized.
The upshot of all this editing, parsing, banning and silencing is the emergence of a new language, what George Orwell referred to as Newspeak, which places the power to control language in the hands of the totalitarian state. Under such a system, language becomes a weapon to change the way people think by changing the words they use.
And while Orwell imagined it as dystopian fiction, we are living its early chapters now.
https://mailchi.mp/rutherford/burning-the-flag-or-tor
You cannot burn Hisbo’allah flag. You cannot burn the BLM flag. You cannot burn the gay flag. But, you can burn the American flag? GTFO!
Like the leftists topple monuments of those great Americans who built this country, slander the Constitution as a racist screed while it actually freed slaves, or denigrate Christianity as a force of oppression while embracing Islam, communism or homosexuality as a means to freedom, they seek to destroy the good and G-dly and colonize our beautiful country and replace our ideals with the foul, with the filthy, and with down right satanic obscenities.
About time Ole Glory is defended.
About damn time!!!
“You cannot burn Hisbo’allah flag. You cannot burn the BLM flag. You cannot burn the gay flag. “
You should be able to. If you can not, then you do not really have free speech.
You certainly can burn a trans flag or a BLM flag you bought for that purpose, in a safe manner, as a political protest. It is not a difficult case under the First Amendment. Any jurisdiction that would prosecute that act is just lining itself up for a suit for deprivation of civil rights under color of law.
Deep pockets for the initial defense recommended, but you’d probably at least triple your money in the end.
Certain jurisdictions would be unable to choose not to take the bait. We all know which ones.
I thought these two songs might be appropriate based on Sundance’s theme. They certainly resonate with me and I listen to them when I’m feeling like WE may be losing our focus….but we aren’t. We are laser focused on saving our country one bloody way or another.
It’s a good sign that these songs are still available on youtube. Goebbels offspring haven’t taken over everything yet thanks to President Donald J. Trump and all 90+ MILLION who voted LEGALLY for him……twice.
Waste of time. Another law that won’t be enforced and costs more than it’s worth.
Treat all flag burning equally(trans, rainbow, etc.). If one is freedom of speech then all are. If one is a hate crime, then all are. Let the people decide
First off. Not a law. Executive Branch not write laws. EO declaring how going to execute current law.
A law or an EO?
6 of one 5 of another.
I would prefer if President Trump, instead of this, had signed an executive order declaring something along the lines of, “As this is America, and we have a Bill of Rights, no longer will it be a crime to simply burn, or desiccate, flags or books or symbols, of any kind, be it the LGBTQ flag, or the BLM flag, or the Hamas flag or even the American flag itself. This is how much America, and its own flag, should stand for free speech. Fully and not partially! Thank you for your attention to this matter”.
He is using this issue in multiple wins, but probably the most important is denying and revoking visas, and deporting illegal aliens.
Want to go straight to the top of the ICE list? Be a Mexican national filmed on an LA street burning an American flag. Your tail will be out of here, lightning fast. No rights, no appeals.
More free speech good. Less free speech bad.
One might also note that this EO is a form of censorship.
Bob Carroll could not have read the actual Executive Order in its entirety and if did read had “this is censorship” on repeat in brain while reading and thus, not reading to comprehend.
“If you can go to jail for burning a rainbow flag, why can’t you go to jail for burning a US flag?”
You shouldn’t go to jail for either one!
It would be a terrible thing if the American flag were to become a symbol of censorship.
This EO outlines very clearly it will not become a symbol of censorship, unless via gaslighting, because it it not censorship. Too many reading headlines and not the actual order.
If its purpose is not to prohibit / censor, then what is its purpose? Simply to promote people getting angry with each other ? If it doesn’t really do much of anything, why do it?
You may have read word for word the EO, but most people haven’t and will not.
Explanation not needed…
I fully support and appreciate President Trump’s intent and legal approach here.
I think it will withstand legal scrutiny, and I don’t mean the screeching of a leftist, judge-shopped black-robed political activist purporting to nullify the order even as we speak.
I think the President has outflanked them. Again.
Trump signs executive order banning flag burning —warns those who desecrate flag will get a year in jail
Excerpt:
The Department of Justice is ordered to probe all incidents of setting the Stars and Stripes ablaze and bring charges “where prosecution wouldn’t fall afoul of the First Amendment,” White House staff secretary Will Scharf noted.
https://nypost.com/2025/08/25/us-news/trump-signs-executive-order-banning-flag-burning/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=nypost
“where prosecution wouldn’t fall afoul of the First Amendment”
Any and all such prosecutions would fall afoul of the First Amendment.
Not true. It applies when it involves an additional act which is unlawful. Not just burning the flag.
Perhaps this will help, you’re not allowed to yell fire in a movie theater because it may incite panic. You’re not allowed to burn the flag to incite a riot.
Flags should be made of asbestos because:
1 You can’t burn it
2 Those who wrap themselves too closely in it, suffer the consequences.
The flag is a symbol, not the thing it stands for. Lots if us fought and bleed for it.
Respect both.
Trump is trolling again, good show.
I think it is more than trolling.
He is serious about thwarting anti-American activities that are endangering our people. There has been property loss, looting and rioting.
People are harassed and there has been loss of life in the BLM, Antifa and Hamas-sympathetic activities.
None of those movements are to the benefit of the American people.
add on the hate enhancement. since burning the American flag is incitement to national origin hatred.
at least make some use out of the most sinister ‘protected group’ in the anti-white discrimination laws.
Just this past week-end, I finally read an old book that has been on a shelf in my house for over 40 years. It belonged to my late husband. I found the book to be an excellent, somewhat fictional account that could easily be relevant in our world today.. “The Man Without A Country” written in 1863 is an excellent example of those who are critical of their home country today. Just do a Google search and the book is described in great detail…
He is pushing the wrong buttons at the wrong time, imho. I am a veteran who hates flag burning by Leftists, but it is free speech:
“(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. (Disposal of Unserviceable Flags Ceremony)”
– US Flag Code
From a Vietnam era vet, this may be a worthy battle to engage in, but why now, and with so many bigger issues at stake?
To do this now could possibly slow or shrink the President’s growing support among Americans. I’m suspicious.
I agree Niagara, we have much bigger fish to fry.
This feels like it’s just a personal pet peeve of Trump’s that he’s decided to throw out there, just because he can.
How many midterm election ads are going to feature prominent commie-dems burning flags?
A lot, I think. LOL!
He’s gotten dems to support crime and criminals, endless sums of money for shady NGO’s abroad and the dem party domestically, illegals over American citizens and exposed dem gerrymandering.
May as well see dem ads burning the American flag.
We’ll see what the Supremes say. I don’t know how “burning” the American flag is considered speech, to me I consider an oral declaration of some kind. Burning the flag is not. Another thought, how can it be that burning the American flag is protected speech and burning the “pride” flag will get you a “hate” crime charge?
Do the Chicago Cubs still celebrate “Rick Monday Day”.
In honor of former centerfielder “Rick Monday” who grabbed a flag from those who ran on to Wrigley Field and tried to burn it back in 1976.
None of us know exactly what tomorrow will bring.
Even so, I don’t think President Trump does much, if anything, without purpose.
Trump’s Monday executive order calls on the attorney general specifically to launch legal efforts to clarify “the scope of the First Amendment.”
Back in 2003, Justice Clarence Thomas provided some insight into where he stands with the burning of venerated objects, offering a dissenting opinion in the case Virginia v. Black on the burning of crosses.
Thomas cited Rehnquist’s dissenting opinion in the Texas v. Johnson case in his 2003 dissenting opinion on cross-burning.
“In every culture, certain things acquire meaning well beyond what outsiders can comprehend. That goes for both the sacred, see Texas v. Johnson, 491 U. S. 397, 422-429 (1989) (REHNQUIST, C. J., dissenting) (describing the unique position of the American flag in our Nation’s 200 years of history), and the profane. I believe that cross burning is the paradigmatic example of the latter,” he wrote in 2003.
_____
Trump flag burning executive order could flip First Amendment on its head with new court
This is funny! Now leftists will be falling all over themselves to burn flags and protest that it’s their right to do so. This will be great for the mid-terms when videos of people desecrating the flag are shown all over the USA. The left is sure easy to troll for Trump.
Can someone tell me when burning a flag incited a riot? (As Trump has claimed)
I know that people burn flags *during* riots, but I can’t recall an instance when someone burned a flag in a peaceful setting and in doing so *started * a riot.
Please post a link if possible.
Thanks.
Why don’t we start by not lowering the flags to half-staff every time a gnat is killed?
Flags should only be lowered for deaths of presidents and the like. Lowering flags is a much more pervasive and demorilizing act meant to show a broken and defeated America, than a small protest of the flag that gets covered by the media. This EO only emboldens the Dems to further enforce hate speech laws such as doing burn-outs on rainbow painted streets, which should be allowed (just like desicatration of the flag). I do not agree with the EO, even though I do not want to see the flag descrated either.
REALLY mess em up and use fireproof fabric e.g. NOMEX. D’OOOHHHH
If it’s illegal to burn pride flags or do burnouts on rainbow crosswalks, then it should be illegal to burn the American flag. And if it’s illegal to burn a dollar in protest of fiat money (18 U.S.C. 333), there should be no issue with making it illegal to burn the American flag. Either arson is speech, or arson is a crime. No more of this “it’s okay when we burn your symbols but a crime when you burn our symbols” nonsense.