New Take: Trump Pledges Action Against Flag Banners in LA, Blasts Flag Wavers of other Nations
Trump again advocates for imprisoning those who set fire to American flags, contradicting established legal precedents
Donald Trump is firing up the rhetoric against protesters in Los Angeles who wave foreign flags and burn American flags, hinting at potential new penalties for such behavior.
The President got vocal this week, suggesting that anyone caught burning an American flag could face a year in jail, stating offhand to the New York Post, "I think you go to jail for one year, just automatic."
Burning the Stars and Stripes in the United States is neither illegal nor unconstitutional. Criminal charges can only be leveled if one is committing another crime simultaneously, like violating fire safety regulations or stealing flags.
**TRUMP THREATENS TO JAIL THOSE BURNING AMERICAN FLAGS IN LA, QUESTIONS FLAG WAVERS OF FOREIGN COUNTIRES****
Anti-ICE activists wave Mexican flags and block a street in LA City. (Picture by REUTERS/Barbara Davidson)
This wouldn't be the first time that Trump has voiced his ire against flag burners, with Officers in Fort Bragg, North Carolina this week hearing Trump say he's working with Congress on a bill aimed at outlawing the practice.
Fast forward to Thursday, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) proposed a bill imposing heftier penalties on rioters who set the American flag alight while committing riot-related crimes. Hawley described the American flag as a symbol of our land.
Dating back to 1989, the Supreme Court put the kibosh on politicians trying to pass laws that criminalize flag burning, stating that opening the door to prohibiting the burning of state flags, presidential seals, or Constitutions would lead us into a slippery slope.
**UTAH BANS FLAGS OF LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, MAGA, AND OTHERS IN OFFICIAL BUILDINGS AND SCHOOLS****
A flag bonding ceremony takes place in Washington D.C. (Picture by Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Staying in the States, in an unusual turn of events, Utah has approved a ban on flags displaying the LGBTQ+ Pride symbol, MAGA, and other unapproved flags in government buildings and schools.
The decision drew flak from the American Civil Liberties Union, who argued that the policy infringed on the First Amendment rights of residents, stating that it would put the state of Utah in uncharted territory.
Join us at our website to shout your opinions about the flag burning issue and share your thoughts on the Utah ban!
Catch up with daily legal news from the Justice Department and related topics by Ashley Oliver, one of our reporters on the legal beat, at [email protected].
- User opinions on Trump's threat to jail flag burners in Los Angeles can be shared at our website.
- In addition to the flag burning issue, the Utah ban on flags such as those of the LGBTQ+ community and MAGA is also generating heated discussions.
- Public reactions to the proposed bill by Senator Josh Hawley imposing harsher penalties on rioters who burn the American flag are being collected.
- The Utah ban on certain flags in government buildings and schools has sparked controversy, with the American Civil Liberties Union arguing that it infringes on First Amendment rights.
- Meanwhile, social media is filled with discussions about foreign flag wavers in politics, a topic that has gained attention following Trump's comments.
- Alongside flag-related controversies, crime news, general news, pop-culture, and sci-fi and fantasy discusses also dominate social media trends.
- Amidst various news headlines, the issue of car accidents, crime and justice, and policy and legislation also remain in the general news spotlight.
