Video: Trump imposes 1-year jail sentence for flag burning 'incitement' crimes

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Monday to crack down on crimes connected with the burning of the American flag. The president warned that individuals who burn the American flag to “incite violence” or in connection with other crimes will be sentenced to one year in jail.

In Monday’s executive order, Trump described the American flag as the “most sacred and cherished symbol” of the United States. Trump noted that American patriots have “fought, bled, and died to keep the Stars and Stripes waving proudly.”

“The American Flag is a special symbol in our national life that should unite and represent all Americans of every background and walk of life,” Trump stated. “Desecrating it is uniquely offensive and provocative. It is a statement of contempt, hostility, and violence against our Nation.”

Trump warned that burning the American flag is not only the “clearest possible expression of opposition” to the country, but it can also lead to the incitement of violence and riots.

“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,” Trump wrote in Monday’s executive order.

The president’s executive order directs U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to prioritize the enforcement of laws that prohibit acts connected to the desecration of the American flag that are not connected to the freedom of expression under the First Amendment, such as hate crimes, violent crimes, violations of civil rights, illegal discrimination, crimes against property and peace, and other violations. 

The executive order instructs the attorney general to “vigorously prosecute those who violate our laws in ways that involve desecrating the American Flag.”

Addressing reporters while signing the executive order in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump  said, “All over the country, they’re burning flags. All over the world, they burn the American flag, and as you know, through a very sad court, I guess it was a 5-4 decision, they called it freedom of speech.”

Trump told reporters that when people burn the American flag, it leads to “crazy” behavior and “incites riots at levels that we’ve never seen before.”