Trump’s Latest Move: One Year Behind Bars for Burning the Flag
New day, new executive order signed by President Donald Trump. This latest one aims at sending folks to jail for one year if they get caught burning the American flag. “If you burn a flag, you get one year in jail,” Trump said.
Now, the courts have long upheld the practice as legitimate expression under the First Amendment. As many are aware, the First Amendment protects speech and peaceful protest. The Supreme Court in 1989 ruled in a 5-4 decision that burning a flag itself is a form of political expression and isn’t illegal.
However, Trump believes with this new executive order, “You will see flag burning stop immediately.”
Trump has talked about making this happen for a while now. In 2024 at the National Guard Association in Detroit, Michigan, Trump suggested that burning the flag should result in jail time.
“I want to get a law passed,” Trump said to the crowd at his campaign event, referencing recent protests in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention. “You burn an American flag, you go to jail for one year. We gotta do it.”
“They say, ‘Sir, that’s unconstitutional,’” he added. “We’ll make it constitutional.”
Back in June of this year, he also said, “They proudly carry flags of other countries, but they don’t carry the American flag. They only burn it,” Trump said. “People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year. And we’ll see if we can get that done.”
Clearly, he stuck by his word.
Why This Executive Order Shakes Up Free Speech
This order is already causing heated debates. For many, burning the flag is disrespectful to the nation and its values. For others, it’s one of the boldest forms of protest—a way to call out injustice in America. By criminalizing it, Trump’s order pushes against long-standing constitutional protections.
Legal experts are pointing out that the Supreme Court has already decided on this. In Texas v. Johnson (1989), the Court made it clear that burning the American flag falls under free speech. So, this executive order could face serious challenges in federal courts.
Still, Trump and his supporters argue that protecting the flag means protecting America itself. They believe jailing those who burn it sends a strong message about patriotism and respect.
Socialites, how do you feel about the new executive order? Let us know in the comment box below!