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Trump flag burning executive order could flip First Amendment on its head with new court
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President Donald Trump and his administration are likely set to challenge a Supreme Court ruling that protected the burning of the American flag under the First Amendment with a new executive order calling for those who desecrate the U.S. flag while inciting violence or breaking other laws to face prosecution.
The executive order, which Trump signed Monday morning, directs the attorney general to prosecute those who violate laws «in ways that involve desecrating the flag,» and to pursue litigation that would clarify the scope of the First Amendment as it relates to flag desecration.
Burning the American flag, however, already has been litigated, with the Supreme Court ruling in 1989 that burning the flag is a form of symbolic speech that is protected by the First Amendment.
«I think what the president is saying, is that he’s ordering Attorney General Pam Bondi, Justice Department lawyers to prosecute those who maliciously burn an American flag,» senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation’s Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies told Fox News Digital Monday. «And what that would essentially do is tee up a challenge eventually for the Supreme Court to revisit and potentially overturn its prior precedent saying that burning an American flag is protected speech.»
TRUMP TO CRACK DOWN ON FLAG BURNING, DESECRATION WITH EXECUTIVE ORDER
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Aug. 25, 2025, cracking down on suspects who desecrate the American flag. (Getty Images)
The 1989 case was centered on political protester Gregory Lee Johnson, who burned the American flag in 1984 outside the Republican National Convention in Dallas in protest of President Ronald Reagan’s re-election.
«America, the red, white, and blue, we spit on you,» protesters chanted as Johnson lit the flag on fire, according to details in the case, called Texas v. Johnson.
Johnson was charged under the Texas Venerated Objects Statute, a state law that prevented individuals from vandalizing respected objects such as the U.S. flag. Johnson was found guilty in 1985 and sentenced to one year behind bars and a $2,000 fine, but appealed the ruling.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in 1989, with the nation’s highest court ruling in a 5–4 decision that burning the American flag was protected speech under the First Amendment. The Supreme Court held a conservative majority at the time.
TRUMP’S RENEWED CALLS TO JAIL AMERICAN FLAG BURNERS CLASHES WITH COURT PRECEDENT
Justice William J. Brennan, a Democrat nominated by former President Dwight Eisenhower, issued the majority opinion, and argued «that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.»
«We can imagine no more appropriate response to burning a flag than waving one’s own, no better way to counter a flag-burner’s message than by saluting the flag that burns, no surer means of preserving the dignity even of the flag that burned than by — as one witness here did — according its remains a respectful burial,» the majority opinion read. «We do not consecrate the flag by punishing its desecration, for in doing so we dilute the freedom that this cherished emblem represent.»
President Trump’s American flag executive order calls on the attorney general to use «the maximum extent permitted by the Constitution» to «vigorously prosecute those who violate our laws in ways that involve desecrating the American Flag.» (spxChrome)
Justices Thurgood Marshall, Harry A. Blackmun, Antonin Scalia and Anthony M. Kennedy joined Brennan in the majority opinion. Chief Justice Rehnquist authored the court’s dissenting opinion, arguing that the American flag holds a unique status in the U.S. that should protect it from acts such as burning.
In 1990, the Supreme Court reaffirmed its ruling the year prior, while invalidating Congress’ Flag Protection Act of 1989, which lawmakers passed in response to the Supreme Court’s Texas v. Johnson ruling.
Trump’s Monday executive order calls on the attorney general specifically to launch legal efforts to clarify «the scope of the First Amendment.»
TRUMP VOWS CONSEQUENCES FOR ‘ANIMALS’ BURNING AMERICAN FLAGS IN LA, SLAMS THOSE WAVING OTHER COUNTRIES’ FLAGS
The executive order states: «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.»
Back in 2003, current Justice Clarence Thomas provided some insight into where he stands with the burning of venerated objects, offering a dissenting opinion in the case Virginia v. Black on the burning of crosses.
Thomas cited Rehnquist’s dissenting opinion in the Texas v. Johnson case in his 2003 dissenting opinion on cross-burning.
«In every culture, certain things acquire meaning well beyond what outsiders can comprehend. That goes for both the sacred, see Texas v. Johnson, 491 U. S. 397, 422-429 (1989) (REHNQUIST, C. J., dissenting) (describing the unique position of the American flag in our Nation’s 200 years of history), and the profane. I believe that cross burning is the paradigmatic example of the latter,» he wrote in 2003.
President Trump’s executive order on flag desecration calls on the attorney general, Pam Bondi, to launch legal efforts to clarify «the scope of the First Amendment.» (Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Smith pointed to two dynamics to watch out for with regard to a potential flag-burning case landing on Supreme Court’s docket in the future: that some justices have expressed «some concern that potentially expressive conduct has been read too broadly,» and how the justices will apply stare decisis, which is legal doctrine outlining courts should follow established precedents, such as the 1989 ruling.
«I think a couple of things are happening here,» he said. «I think some justices have expressed some concern that potentially expressive conduct has been read too broadly. Things that are really conduct, not speech, have been read to be protected, and maybe they should not be protected, as protected as they have been in the past.»
TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO ELIMINATE NO-CASH BAIL FOR SUSPECTS IN DC AND NATIONWIDE
«The other interesting dynamic, I think that you should watch for, is how certain justices will apply what’s known as stare decisis, and essentially that’s the fancy Latin term. It means that ‘they decided,’» Smith continued. «Several times recently, Chief Justice Roberts in particular, has said that even though he disagrees on the merits with the … decision the Supreme Court is reaching, he has joined the majority anyway because he believes stare decisis should apply and the court should not overturn or revisit its previous decisions in this area. Even though he may subsequently disagree with it.»
Trump celebrated the executive order during the Monday signing ceremony in the Oval Office, saying the 1989 Supreme Court ruling protecting flag burning was made by a «very sad court.»
«Flag burning. All over the country, they’re burning flags. All over the world, they burn the American flag,» he said. «And as you know, through a very sad court, I guess there was a 5 to 4 decision. They called it freedom of speech.»
President Donald Trump lamented how U.S. flags have been burned by protests on U.S. soil and abroad. (Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press)
«But there’s another reason, which is perhaps much more important,» he said. «It’s called death. Because what happens when you burn a flag is the area goes crazy. If you have hundreds of people, they go crazy.»
«You could do other things. You can burn this piece of paper,» he said. «But when you burn the American flag, it incites riots at levels that we’ve never seen before.»
First Amendment groups such as the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression slammed the executive order in comment provided to Fox News Digital, saying Trump does not have the «power to revise the First Amendment with the stroke of a pen.»
«Flag burning as a form of political protest is protected by the First Amendment,» Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression Chief Counsel Bob Corn-Revere said in Monday comment. «That’s nothing new. While people can be prosecuted for burning anything in a place they aren’t allowed to set fires, the government can’t prosecute protected expressive activity — even if many Americans, including the president, find it «uniquely offensive and provocative.»
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«You don’t have to like flag burning,» he added. «You can condemn it, debate it, or hoist your own flag even higher. The beauty of free speech is that you get to express your opinions, even if others don’t like what you have to say,.»
white house,first amendment,donald trump,supreme court
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Top Trump agency torches Dem lawmakers rallying around detained Abrego Garcia: ‘It is insane’
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EXCLUSIVE: The Department of Homeland Security is unleashing on Democrats who have condemned the move by ICE to detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia and deport him to Uganda.
Abrego Garcia is a Salvadoran national who was arrested by ICE on Monday at his check-in at the agency’s office in Baltimore, Maryland, and he’s expected to be deported to a third-party country, likely Uganda.
«Kilmar Abrego Garcia is not and will never be a Maryland Man—he is a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador and public safety threat,» a senior DHS Official told Fox News Digital in an exclusive statement.
ICE ARRESTS ABREGO-GARCIA AT MARYLAND CHECK-IN, LAWYER SAYS
Kilmar Abrego Garcia and his wife, Jennifer, speak to supporters outside of an ICE Field Office in Baltimore, Maryland. (Breanne Deppisch/Fox News Digital) (Fox News Digital/Breanne Deppisch)
«It is insane that sanctuary politicians chose to glorify and stand with an MS-13 gang member over the safety of American citizens. President Trump and Secretary Noem are not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator, to terrorize American citizens any longer.»
Earlier this year, Abrego Garica was first deported to El Salvador for being a suspected gang member, which caused a nationwide controversy that sparked visits to the Central American country, including by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland. However, he ended up later facing charges in the U.S. for alleged human smuggling after a 2022 Tennessee traffic stop resurfaced.
Last week, Abrego Garcia made his way back to Maryland from Tennessee, and a U.S. Magistrate Judge ordered that if he was taken into ICE custody that he would need to have «access to his attorneys» in order to «prepare for trial in this case.» His brief freedom was slammed as the result of «publicity hungry Maryland judge» by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
ABREGO GARCIA TO APPEAR AT ICE OFFICE IN BALTIMORE AMID TALK OF UGANDA DEPORTATION
In this handout provided by Sen. Van Hollen’s Office, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) meets with Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia (L) at an undisclosed location on April 17, 2025 in San Salvador, El Salvador. (Sen. Van Hollen’s Office via Getty Images)
In a news release first shared with Fox News Digital, DHS is specifically taking aim at a handful of posts on X from Democratic lawmakers.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE
«ICE is holding Kilmar Ábrego García and refusing to answer questions from his lawyers — while the Trump Admin continues to spread lies about his case. Instead of spewing unproven allegations on social media, they need to put up or shut up IN COURT. Mr. Ábrego García must be allowed to defend himself,» Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-M.D., posted on Monday.
«The Trump admin wrongly sent Kilmar Abrego Garcia to a horrific El Salvadoran prison. Now, just days after he was reunited with his family, they’re trying to deny him his rights and deport him to Uganda. Kilmar—like everyone—deserves a fair hearing to defend himself,» Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., posted.
JUDGE SETS STRICT CONDITIONS FOR ABREGO GARCIA’S RELEASE AS TRUMP OFFICIALS PURSUE CASE AGAINST HIM
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blamed «activist» judges for the release of Kilmar Abrego-Garcia on Friday, August 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
«Let’s be clear: deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda makes no sense—it’s not his home country. Nothing about this process has been fair. ICE is targeting him with cruelty. This is the weaponization of government, not justice,» Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, wrote.
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His detention in Maryland is likely to be scrutinized by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who intensely questioned Trump officials for details over his removal and his current legal status.
Fox News Digital’s Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report.
immigration,homeland security,maryland,tennessee,kristi noem
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Netanyahu announces investigation into ‘tragic mishap’ after reports of journalists killed in Gaza strike
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that an investigation is underway after reports said Israel struck a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip, killing at least 20 people on Monday, according to reports.
Netanyahu said Israel regretted the deadly incident and reiterated that Israel does not intentionally target civilians in its war with Hamas. Reports said among the dead were five journalists who worked for outlets such as Reuters, The Associated Press, and Al Jazeera.
«Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza,» Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
«Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff and all civilians. The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. Our war is with Hamas terrorists. Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home.»
The composite image shows structural damage to Nasser Hospital alongside Palestinians carrying the body of a journalist after the strikes; authorities said at least 20 people, including five journalists, were killed. (Reuters/Hatem Khaled)
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Reports, citing medical officials, said two shells hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in quick succession. Israeli media reported that Israeli troops had fired the artillery rounds at the hospital to target a Hamas surveillance camera on the roof.
Cameraman Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor, was killed near a live broadcasting position on an upper floor just below the roof in the first strike, Palestinian health officials said.
Israel then struck the site again, killing additional journalists as well as rescue workers and medics who had rushed in to help, hospital officials and witnesses told Reuters.
IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin echoed Netanyahu’s comments, stressing that the military makes every effort to mitigate civilian harm while ensuring troop safety.
«We are operating in an extremely complex reality. Hamas terrorists deliberately use civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, as shields,» Defrin said in a video posted to social media. «They have even operated from the Nasser Hospital itself. Hamas began this war, created impossible fighting conditions and is preventing its end by still holding 50 of our hostages.»
A man examines broadcast equipment damaged by Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Monday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel regrets incident at Nasser Hospital and will investigate the strikes (Reuters/Hatem Khaled)
NEWS AGENCY SAYS ITS GAZA JOURNALISTS SUFFERING HEALTH WOES AS UNION WARNS THEY WILL DIE WITHOUT INTERVENTION
Defrin said Israel will abide by international obligations and «investigate the deadly incident thoroughly and professionally.»
«Reporting from an active war zone carries immense risk, especially in a war with a terrorist organization such as Hamas, who cynically hides behind the civilian population,» he added.
The other journalists killed were identified as Mariam Abu Dagga, who freelanced for the Associated Press and other outlets; Mohammed Salama, who worked for Al Jazeera; Moaz Abu Taha, a freelancer who contributed to several news organizations, including Reuters; and Ahmed Abu Aziz.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel regrets incident at Nasser Hospital and will investigate the strikes. (Getty Images/Jim Watson)
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Photographer Hatem Khaled, also a Reuters contractor, was wounded.
Fox News’ Yael Kuriel, Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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EE.UU. quiere deportar a Uganda a un migrante convertido en símbolo de la lucha contra la política migratoria
Un ciudadano salvadoreño que se volvió un símbolo de la guerra del presidente Donald Trump contra la inmigración ilegal fue detenido nuevamente este lunes por las autoridades estadounidenses, que ahora buscan deportarlo a Uganda.
Kilmar Ábrego García, que había sido expulsado por error y alojado en una cárcel de alta seguridad de su país de origen, fue detenido en su cita de registro con los funcionarios de inmigración en Baltimore, en el estado de Maryland, días después de ser liberado de una prisión en Tennessee.
Leé también: Florida abrirá un “depósito de deportación” de inmigrantes en una prisión abandonada
El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional informó que Ábrego García, de 30 años, “será procesado para su deportación a Uganda”. Lo acusan de tráfico de personas y de pertenecer a pandillas criminales.
El hombre había sido deportado por un “error administrativo”, según el gobierno, a una prisión de alta seguridad en su país de origen y luego regresó a EE.UU. solo para ser detenido por segunda vez.
Ábrego García estaba en Estados Unidos bajo estatus legal protegido desde 2019, cuando un juez dictaminó que no debía ser deportado porque podría sufrir daños en El Salvador.
La Casa Blanca lo describió como “un criminal, extranjero ilegal, golpeador de mujeres” y miembro de la pandilla MS-13. Ábrego García niega haber cometido cualquier delito.
Qué dijeron los abogados del inmigrante salvadoreño
Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, uno de los abogados del migrante salvadoreño, dijo que su cliente fue detenido cuando se presentó a una cita en la oficina de Servicios de Inmigración y Aduanas (ICE, policía migratoria).
“¡Vergüenza, vergüenza!”, corearon decenas manifestantes, algunos de los cuales sostenían carteles que decían “Liberen a Kilmar”, reunidos fuera de la oficina migratoria. Kilmar Ábrego Garcíafue detenido este lunes tras asistir a una cita migratoria (Foto: REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz)
“El aviso (entregado a Ábrego García) indicaba que el motivo (de la cita) era una entrevista”, dijo Sandoval-Moshenberg.
“Claramente eso era falso. No había necesidad de que lo detuviera el ICE”, sostuvo el abogado.
Leé también: El gobierno de Trump informó que arrestó a más de 300.000 migrantes en los primeros seis meses del año
“Ya estaba bajo monitoreo electrónico del Servicio de Alguaciles de Estados Unidos y básicamente bajo arresto domiciliario”, dijo. “La única razón por la que han decidido detenerlo es para castigarlo”, enfatizó.
“Sigan pidiendo libertad”
Antes de ingresar a los servicios de inmigración en Baltimore, el salvadoreño dijo: “Pase lo que pase hoy (…) prométanme que continuarán rezando, peleando, resistiendo y amando. No solo por mí sino por todo el mundo. Sigan pidiendo libertad”.
El sábado, los abogados de Ábrego García adelantaron que el gobierno estadounidense pretendía deportarlo a Uganda, que firmó un convenio con Washington para recibir inmigrantes indocumentados que el país norteamericano considera indeseables.
En un escrito, los defensores solicitaron a los tribunales que desestimaran el caso. Argumentaron que se trata de un intento vengativo de castigarlo por impugnar su deportación inicial a El Salvador.
El intento de deportar a García a la lejana Uganda, en África Oriental, añade un giro dramático a este caso que se ha convertido en emblemático del combate de Trump contra la inmigración ilegal y, según sus críticos, de sus violaciones a las leyes.
El viernes García Ábrego, casado con una estadounidense, fue liberado por orden judicial y se le permitió regresar a su hogar en Maryland en espera de juicio por cargos de tráfico de personas.
El jueves, cuando se hizo evidente que Ábrego García sería liberado al día siguiente, funcionarios del gobierno le ofrecieron declararse culpable de los cargos de tráfico de personas a cambio de ser deportado a Costa Rica, informaron sus abogados, pero rechazó la oferta.
“El gobierno respondió de inmediato con indignación a la liberación del señor Ábrego”, afirmaron.
A los pocos minutos de su liberación de la prisión preventiva, un representante del ICE informó a su abogado que el gobierno tenía la intención de deportarlo a Uganda y allí fue que le ordenó presentarse en la oficina local de esa agencia en Baltimore el lunes por la mañana, añadieron.
(Con información de AFP)
inmigracion, Donald Trump
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