In a sorely needed move, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order to combat the desecration of the American Flag. In the document, he emphasized the flag’s role as a sacred symbol of American unity and freedom, and slammed those who disrespect it.
For context, the order directs Pam Bondi, the attorney general, to prioritize enforcing laws against flag desecration that incites violence or violates content-neutral laws, consistent with First Amendment limits. Additionally, the order mandates that local authorities refer foreign nationals to the relevant agencies in the event of a flag burning.
In any case, Trump began his August 25, 2025, executive order by establishing his reasoning. Trump wrote, “Our great American Flag is the most sacred and cherished symbol of the United States of America, and of American freedom, identity, and strength. Over nearly two-and-a-half centuries, many thousands of American patriots have fought, bled, and died to keep the Stars and Stripes waving proudly.”
Building out his argument, the president added, “Desecrating it is uniquely offensive and provocative. It is a statement of contempt, hostility, and violence against our Nation — the clearest possible expression of opposition to the political union that preserves our rights, liberty, and security.”
Explaining the symbolic meaning of a flag burning, Trump declared, “Burning this representation of America may incite violence and riot. American Flag burning is also used by groups of foreign nationals as a calculated act to intimidate and threaten violence against Americans because of their nationality and place of birth.”
Describing the reaction from the Trump administration, he stated, “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.”
At this point, Trump pivoted to describing the solution, saying, The Attorney General shall prioritize the enforcement to the fullest extent possible of our Nation’s criminal and civil laws against acts of American Flag desecration that violate applicable, content-neutral laws, while causing harm unrelated to expression, consistent with the First Amendment.”
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Build on his previous thoughts, Trump explained, “In cases where the Department of Justice or another executive department or agency (agency) determines that an instance of American Flag desecration may violate an applicable State or local law, such as open burning restrictions, disorderly conduct laws, or destruction of property laws, the agency shall refer the matter to the appropriate State or local authority for potential action.”
Digging into the enforcement mechanism, Trump continued his decree. The president stated, “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.”
Watch Trump slam flag burners here:
Concluding his executive order, Trump added, “The Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting within their respective authorities, shall deny, prohibit, terminate, or revoke visas, residence permits, naturalization proceedings, and other immigration benefits, or seek removal from the United States… whenever there has been an appropriate determination that foreign nationals have engaged in American Flag-desecration activity under circumstances that permit the exercise of such remedies pursuant to Federal law.”