Politics
Trump to sign order seeking charges in certain flag burning cases
President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order that would direct the Justice Department to pursue charges in certain cases involving the burning of the American flag, according to NewsNation.
Two administration officials told NewsNation the order, expected Thursday, will instruct Attorney General Pam Bondi to review incidents where flags were burned and determine if charges can be brought under existing laws.
Possible charges could involve public nuisance, disorderly conduct, or environmental violations. One official told NewsNation the order would not criminalize flag burning itself but would direct prosecutors to examine the circumstances surrounding an incident to determine whether charges are appropriate.
The Supreme Court has ruled that burning the American flag is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.
In two landmark decisions, Texas v. Johnson (1989) and United States v. Eichman (1990), the Court struck down federal and state laws that had sought to ban flag desecration. While lawmakers have occasionally introduced constitutional amendments to override those rulings, none have succeeded.
Trump has previously criticized flag burning and has called for stricter penalties, but Thursday’s order would rely on reinterpreting existing laws rather than creating a new ban.
-
US News5 days agoUnwarned tornado suspected in Fort Worth as storms cause damage and power outages
-
World3 days agoU.S. Navy helicopter and fighter jet crash in South China Sea; all crew rescued
-
Legal1 week agoMan armed with AR-15 arrested after threats to ‘shoot up’ Atlanta airport
-
Legal4 days agoMultiple injured in shooting at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania
-
World1 week agoMagnitude 5.0 earthquake rattles Dominican Republic
-
World1 week agoMagnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes Ecuador–Peru border region
-
World1 week agoHurricane watch issued for Haiti due to Tropical Storm Melissa
-
Legal1 week ago2 men charged in attack on ‘Big Balls’ DOGE staffer in Washington, D.C.
