Man Arrested for Burning American Flag Near White House

A man was arrested on March 15, 2024, for burning an American flag in Lafayette Park, located near the White House. This incident occurred shortly after President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to impose stricter penalties for flag desecration.

The U.S. Secret Service reported that officers detained the suspect, identified as Jay Carey, around 18:15 local time after he set the flag ablaze. Agents promptly extinguished the fire and transferred Carey to the U.S. Park Police, which oversees the area. Officials confirmed that Carey faces charges under 36 CFR 2.13(a)(1), which prohibits unauthorized fires on federal property.

Carey, a 20-year combat veteran, claimed his actions were a protest against Trump. In a video shared by the news outlet The Bulwark, he stated, “I’m burning this flag as a protest to that illegal fascist president that sits in that house,” while gesturing towards the White House.

The timing of the protest was significant, as it coincided with Trump’s announcement of an executive order that encourages the Department of Justice to pursue harsher penalties for flag burning. Trump declared, “You burn a flag, you get one year in jail. You don’t get 10 years, you don’t get one month. You get one year in jail, and it goes on your record, and you will see flag burning stopping immediately.”

This new directive follows a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court in 1989, which determined in the case of Texas v. Johnson that flag burning is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment. Trump criticized the court’s decision during his announcement, labeling it as a “very sad court.”

The executive order details that “to the maximum extent permitted by the Constitution, the Attorney General shall vigorously prosecute those who violate our laws in ways that involve desecrating the American flag, and may pursue litigation to clarify the scope of the First Amendment exceptions in this area.”

According to the Flag Code, proper respect for the American flag includes guidelines such as not allowing it to touch the ground or water, ensuring it is displayed aloft and free. The repercussions of this incident and the newly proposed executive order highlight ongoing tensions surrounding free speech and patriotic expression in the United States.