Army Veteran Burns U.S. Flag at White House to Defy Trump’s New Ban

A U.S. Army veteran burned an American flag outside the White House just hours after President Trump signed an executive order banning flag burning.

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Flag burning is legally considered free speech under the First Amendment, a right upheld by the Supreme Court in 1990.

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Despite this, Trump directed the Justice Department to treat flag burning as inciting a riot, with a one-year jail penalty.

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The protester, 54-year-old veteran Jay Carey from North Carolina, said he served 20 years in combat and defended free expression.

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In a fiery speech before lighting the flag, Carey said: “No president can make a law that takes away First Amendment rights.”

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Carey was quickly detained by Secret Service, then turned over to U.S. Park Police. He received citations for setting fire on park grounds.

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Carey insists he’s ready to challenge Trump’s executive order in court, calling it unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.

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The veteran urged other service members to remember their oath to protect the Constitution, not political leaders.

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