Trump signs an order that provides for harsh measures to desecrate the American flag. “You burn a flag, you get a year in prison.”
President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House. Photo: Pool / Abaca / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday asks the US Attorney General to prosecute those who burn or desecrate the American flag, reports Reuters and Agerpres.
“If you burn a flag, you get a year in prison, without early release, nothing,” said Donald Trump while signing the order in the Oval Office.
The order asks the Attorney General to “prosecute the persons firmly” to the persons who violate the laws regarding the desecration of the flag and to file processes to clarify the scope of the first amendment regarding this problem.
The order also orders that the Attorney General sends the cases of desecration of the flag of the state or local authorities and asks the administration to prohibit and cancel the visas, the stays and the naturalization procedures for those who desecize the flag.
“The American flag is a special symbol in our national life, which should unite and represent all Americans, regardless of origin and lifestyle,” the order shows.
“Its desecration is offensive and provocative in a unique way. It is a statement of contempt, hostility and violence against our nation,” says in order.
The Trump administration said in the order that the decisions of the Supreme Court on the first amendment did not protect actions such as the desecration of the American flag, which could incite “imminent illegal actions” or actions that are equivalent to “struggles”.
In 1989 the Supreme Court of the USA has decided that the burning or destruction of the country's flag is protected as a right to free expression.
