A person was arrested near the White House on Tuesday after setting fire to an American flag, just hours after President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to punish people who burn the flag.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed the initial detention in a statement to Newsweek.
“On Aug.25 at approximately 6:15 p.m., the U.S. Secret Service detained an individual in Lafayette Park for igniting an object,” the agency said. “The individual was subsequently turned over to U.S. Park Police as they have jurisdiction. We’d refer you to U.S. Park Police for any charges or additional questions.”
The Park Police confirmed that the individual was arrested after being reached for comment by Newsweek, saying, “At about 6:30 pm, the United States Park Police arrested one person in Lafayette Park for a violation of 36 CFR 2.13(a)(1), prohibited fire. All units have cleared the scene.”
Why It Matters
Trump’s executive order, which he signed Monday, defies longstanding Supreme Court precedent. The High Court issued a landmark 5-4 ruling in 1989 saying that burning the flag is protected by the First Amendment because it constitutes symbolic and political speech.
Justice William Brennan wrote at the time that the government could not prohibit expression merely because it’s offensive.
