Just hours after President Trump signed a sweeping executive order cracking down on flag desecration, a man was arrested in front of the White House for setting the American flag on fire.
The incident took place Monday evening in Lafayette Square, a park directly across from the White House. The individual, who identified himself as a 20-year combat veteran, lit a flag in protest of the president’s new order, which directs federal agencies to aggressively pursue prosecution of those who burn or desecrate the U.S. flag while committing other offenses.
In a video the man can be seen holding the flag and saying, “I’m burning this flag as a protest to that illegal fascist president that sits in that House,” as he gestured toward the White House.
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The U.S. Secret Service detained him at approximately 6:15 p.m., according to a statement provided to Newsweek. He was later transferred to the U.S. Park Police, which has jurisdiction over the area. Officials confirmed he was arrested for violating a federal regulation prohibiting fires in public parks.
“At about 6:30 p.m., the United States Park Police arrested one person in Lafayette Park for a violation of 36 CFR 2.13(a)(1), prohibited fire. All units have cleared the scene,” a spokesperson said.
President Trump’s executive order, signed earlier in the day, states that burning the American flag is not only disrespectful but potentially incites violence and should be punishable under existing laws. It authorizes the Department of Justice to “vigorously prosecute” violators and explore litigation avenues to challenge long-standing interpretations of First Amendment protections.
Under the new directive, the man who burned the flag could face up to one year in jail.
The move has sparked a heated national debate. Critics argue that even offensive speech, including flag burning, is protected by the Constitution. Others believe the flag is a sacred national symbol that should be legally protected from desecration.
Trump defended the order, calling the American flag “the most sacred and cherished symbol of the United States” and emphasizing that desecrating it is a direct attack on the unity and values the country represents.
The incident outside the White House has now become the first major test case of the controversial new policy.
I pray that they are prosecuted to the max extent allowed by law.
Thank you President Trump