DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Palus Politicus Trump's Jail Mandate for Flag Burning

BREAKING: President Trump just signed an executive order directing the DOJ to pursue ONE YEAR IN PRISON for those who burn American flags in the street

"You get one year in jail, NO early exits, no nothing. One year in jail if you burn a flag. What it does is incite to riot!"

IIRC, Supreme Court already ruled flag-burning as protected speech.

Scalia joined in that decision, too. I remember when he spoke before my law school, he said, “If it were up to me, I’d have thrown that sandal-wearing, no-good hippie in jail…but it’s not up to me. The Constitution does not allow for that.” There are videos where he repeats that notion. In fact, I think this one is a mic-dropping moment to be honest with you:



I agree with him.

Yep… I think Trump is trying to tie the penalty to if they do another crime… but I don’t like it and don’t think it’ll hold up… SC was pretty straight forward that it’s protected first amendment…. While I don’t like people disrespecting the flag, I think they have a right to do so…

I’d burn a bunch of trump flags but their not worth a bic lighter.

I don't agree with the President on this one.

I am in favor of those people who do get their jaw broken, but it is a protected form of expression.

I think this one will be shot down in the Supreme Court.

I think people will be burning trump flags real soon

I am pretty sure that at least half the executive orders violate existing law. Executive orders are supposed to provide guidance and direction to executive branch agencies. They do not replace any existing law.

We need a law that states exactly that, but there probably is one. Trump would probably sign an executive order nullifying that law.

So half of trumps executive orders direct his lackies to break the law. Great leader. Didnt he take an oath to uphold the constitution?

Most are legal.

This one pushes at the boundaries. Much like when Lincoln suspended habeas corpus, he is trying to argue that the burning is a sign of rebellion and causes riots.

There might be a thread to cling to but in the broader sense I think it is a stretch and not enough cause to suspend a protected freedom of speech even though my personal view would love to see something like that.

This one makes me a little nervous, I don't agree with ever burning the flag except to destroy one that is tattered and worn, (the VFW will do that for you by the way)

But we have the right to do so.

So for me, it's Trump playing to a small crowd who wants to take away more rights that we have.

Can't agree with him on this either.

This topic may be a unicorn. It appears we are mostly in consensus on the topic.

... and I'll add to your post that presidents pushing boundaries with EOs is nothing new. Each admin has been legislating more and more via EO for the past several decades.

With the exception that one says he's in favor of assaulting someone for doing something legal. I hate the idea of flag burning myself but I won't advocate someone be assaulted for it. That only makes the one committing assault the criminal and I'm not gong to promote a violent crime be perpetrated on someone for committing a legal act. That's just ridiculous and shows the actual climate we are living in today.

First day and there was an arrest by the secret service in DC for flag burning-prob not what most would think though.
It was a 20 year combat vet who burned the flag because he said that he fought for the right if you want to under the First Amendment.

https://www.newsweek.com/person-detained-washington-dc-burning-american-flag-2119090.

And so it begins. Now the secret Service has decided that the president can override the law of the land by executive order. History should point out to people how things like this turn out.

People who enter the military take an oath to protect the constitution. But then so did trump when he was sworn into office.