Trump backs bill to jail flag burners for a year while actions against LA riots continue
Bill proposes escalation in punishment for flag burners, increase in prison sentence by a year, sponsored by Hawley
In an exclusive reveal, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) is introducing legislation to penalize flag-burners, discussing the move with President Donald Trump. This new bill adds one year in prison for flag-burners on top of any rioting conviction, should it pass.
When rioters and protesters in Los Angeles burned American flags while waving foreign flags instead, both Hawley and Trump agreed that this desecration of the nation's symbol should be punishable by additional penalties.
Hawley highlights multiple instances where such flag burnings occurred, particularly in Los Angeles, and urges wide Republican support for the bill, believing even Democrats might be swayed by its significance.
While courts have traditionally viewed flag burning in some contexts as protected speech, Hawley asserts that protection erodes when a flag is burned to commit a federal crime, such as rioting. The White House supports this stance, with spokesman Kush Desai asserting, "No one loves or cares for our beautiful flag more than President Trump, and no one has been stronger than President Trump on supporting law enforcement against violent rioters and malcontents."
Trump himself voiced his discontent towards flag-burners in Los Angeles during a Fort Bragg speech, stating, "People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year." He added that he and Hawley are working with some Senators to bring the bill to fruition.
The bill, titled the Enhanced Penalties for Criminal Flag Burners Act, is still in its beginning stages and has yet to be voted on by the full Senate. President Trump has voiced his support and is pushing for its passage.
Senator Hawley has also initiated a congressional investigation into potential financial backing for the rioters. According to reports, he is collaborating with the Department of Justice to uncover any supporting entities.
Read the full text of Hawley's bill below:
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Reach out to him at [email protected] or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
References:
[1] Our Digital, "Trump, Hawley team up to penalize flag burners," [Accessed Jun 12, 2025]
[2] Associated Press, "Hawley proposes bill to jail flag burners," [Accessed Jun 12, 2025]
[3] ACLU, "Flag Desecration and the First Amendment," [Accessed Jun 12, 2025]
[4] SCOTUS, "Texas v. Johnson," [Accessed Jun 12, 2025]
[5] United States Code, "flag desecration," [Accessed Jun 12, 2025]
The Trump administration has announced a new bill, the Enhanced Penalties for Criminal Flag Burners Act, which aims to increase penalties for flag burners, particularly those who do so during riots as a form of protest. The bill comes after several incidents in Los Angeles where American flags were burned and foreign flags were waved instead. The bill is currently under review in the Senate and enjoys the support of President Trump, who has previously expressed his disapproval of flag burners in public speeches. Furthermore, Senator Hawley, the bill's sponsor, has also initiated a congressional investigation into the financial backing of rioters. This investigation is being carried out in collaboration with the Department of Justice.
