In an act of defiance against President Donald Trump's executive order to penalize flag desecrators, an American flag was set ablaze in protest.
The incident occurred on a Monday afternoon, right outside the White House, and was orchestrated by Jay Carey, a retired Army veteran who had served for 22 years and had been honored with the Bronze Star.
Carey, in his protest, argued that Trump's order infringes upon the First Amendment and contradicts Supreme Court rulings that categorize the burning of the American flag as protected speech. "Its your First Amendment right to burn the American Flag! Carey declared.
He further emphasized, No President can make a law. Period! No Congress can make a law infringing on First Amendment rights. Carey was resolute in his belief that, Nobody will enforce those illegal laws that that president tried to make, moments before he was escorted away by the Secret Service.
As reported by Western Journal, Trump's order provides a nuanced interpretation of the 1989 court ruling. The order states, Notwithstanding the Supreme Courts 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.
The order further pledges that the Trump administration will strive to restore respect and sanctity to the American Flag and prosecute those who incite violence or violate laws while desecrating this symbol of our country, to the fullest extent permissible under any available authority.
Trump's executive order stems from his long-standing opposition to flag desecration. The order describes the American Flag as the most sacred and cherished symbol of the United States, representing American freedom, identity, and strength. It further states that desecrating the flag is a statement of contempt, hostility, and violence against the nation, potentially inciting violence and riots.
The order tasks Attorney General Pam Bondi with prioritizing the enforcement of the 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. The order also calls for federal agencies to refer instances of flag desecration that may violate state or local laws to the appropriate authorities for potential action.
The order further stipulates that federal officials shall deny, prohibit, terminate, or revoke visas, residence permits, naturalization proceedings, and other immigration benefits, or seek removal from the United States, whenever foreign nationals have been determined to have engaged in American Flag-desecration activity under circumstances that permit the exercise of such remedies pursuant to Federal law.
A fact sheet accompanying the order noted that recent protests, including those in Los Angeles in June 2025, have featured flag burning alongside violent acts and other conduct threatening public safety. Such conduct disrespects the sacrifices of Americans who bled for our country, and undermines the flag as a symbol that unites and represents all Americans of every background and walk of life.
The burning of the American flag, a symbol of unity and national identity, has been a contentious issue in the United States. While some view it as an exercise of their First Amendment rights, others perceive it as a disrespectful act against the nation and those who have sacrificed their lives for it.
The recent executive order and the subsequent protest highlight the ongoing debate over the balance between freedom of expression and respect for national symbols.
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