Protesters burn the U.S. flag during a protest in defense of national sovereignty near the U.S. Consulate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 1, 2025. This occurred after the U.S. government imposed trade tariffs and sanctions against Brazil. Getty Images/MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP
As reported by the media The Independent
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that burning the American flag is incitement to violence and rioting, and he promised to pursue strict punishment for those who do so. He spoke during remarks with reporters at the White House after the latest events in the country.
“You know, freedom of speech means you can burn the American flag. In my view, this is terrible… We are going to challenge this, and I think very soon. This is violence.”
According to the president, he also states the aim to ensure imprisonment for anyone who similarly violates the law and incites violence.
Last month, Trump signed an executive order that proclaims “restoring respect and reverence for the American flag” and provides for prosecuting those who incite violence or otherwise violate the laws, demeaning this symbol of the country.
In 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5–4 that burning the flag is a form of “symbolic speech,” protected by the First Amendment.
“In 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled by a 5–4 vote that burning the flag is a form of “symbolic speech,” protected by the First Amendment.”
According to NBC News, the U.S. Park Police reported the arrest of a man for violating the ban on lighting fires in a public park.
Read also:
- Donald Trump supports ending quarterly financial reporting for US public companies, aiming to shift focus to long-term management and reduce short-term pressures on executives.
- President Donald Trump is expected to sign an order directing the Justice Department to review potential charges against individuals burning the American flag, impacting legal approaches to flag desecration cases.
- The well-known Irish comic writer Graham Linehan was detained in London for posts about transgender issues that sparked discussions about freedom of speech and the boundaries of online expression.
