Trump signs executive order imposing prison sentence for burning the American flag

President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning the burning of the American flag and establishing a mandatory punishment of one year in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to the document, the U.S. Department of Justice is required to investigate all cases of desecration of the national symbol and bring charges where this does not conflict with the First Amendment of the Constitution. The Attorney General has been instructed to prosecute offenders both at the federal and state levels.

The order also affects immigrants: foreign nationals involved in acts of flag burning may lose their visas or the right to immigrate to the United States.

Trump stated that the American flag must be placed “under special protection,” and those who desecrate it will face punishment. This move has sparked debate among lawyers and human rights advocates, as the Supreme Court has previously recognized flag burning as a form of political expression protected by the First Amendment.