A 20-year combat veteran was arrested after burning an American flag just across from the White House only hours after President Trump signed an executive order aimed at cracking down on flag desecration.
The man, identified in a video shared by The Bulwark, spoke into his phone in Lafayette Square, pointing at the White House. “I’m burning this flag as a protest to that illegal fascist president that sits in that House,” he said.
Federal agents detained him at about 6:15 p.m. ET. The Secret Service confirmed he was arrested for “igniting an object” and handed over to U.S. Park Police. The Park Police cited a law against lighting fires in public parks.
Earlier that day, Trump signed an executive order directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to “vigorously prosecute” flag burning incidents—especially those tied to other violations like inciting violence. The order also suggests challenging the 1989 Supreme Court ruling that protects flag burning under the First Amendmen