Patriotism, enforced: "Actions have consequences," writes the official White House X account. "Burn the American flag, disrespect our nation, incite violence: ONE YEAR IN JAIL. No excuses."
"Desecrating [the American flag] is uniquely offensive and provocative," reads the new executive order from President Donald Trump, released yesterday. "It is a statement of contempt, hostility, and violence against our Nation—the clearest possible expression of opposition to the political union that preserves our rights, liberty, and security. Burning this representation of America may incite violence and riot."
"Notwithstanding the Supreme Court's 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," adds the order. "My Administration will act to restore respect and sanctity to the American Flag and prosecute those who incite violence or otherwise violate our laws while desecrating this symbol of our country, to the fullest extent permissible under any available authority." Essentially, the order says that you cannot just be flag-burning—a protected act of speech—to go to jail; you must also be breaking another law in the process. It's bad, but less extreme than it looks.
