Flag Burning and Free Speech: What Happened on August 25th
“On August 25th, a protest outside the White House reignited the debate over flag burning and free speech. Here’s what happened and what it means for America.” On Monday, August 25, 2025 , President Trump signed an executive order titled “Prosecuting Burning of the American Flag” , directing federal agencies to pursue criminal charges against individuals who desecrate the U.S. flag. Within hours, a combat veteran burned a flag outside the White House in protest. He was arrested. This act wasn’t just symbolic it was a direct challenge to the executive order and a flashpoint in the long-standing debate over patriotism, protest, and the limits of free speech. Back in 1989 , the Supreme Court ruled in Texas v. Johnson that burning the American flag as a form of political protest is protected under the First Amendment. The decision overturned flag desecration laws in 48 states and remains one of the most controversial rulings in modern constitutional history. Justice Scalia, ...