Man Arrested While Burning American Flag In Park Near White House

Hours after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday (August 25) directing the prosecution of American flag burnings, a man was arrested while setting a flag on fire in Lafayette Park, near the White House. The man, identified as Jay Carey, claimed to be a 20-year combat veteran and stated he burned the flag to protest President Trump's order.

The Secret Service detained Carey around 6:15 p.m. for "igniting an object," which was identified as an American flag by several media outlets. He was handed over to the U.S. Park Police, who have jurisdiction over the area, and was charged with violating the National Park Service's fire policy, which prohibits setting fires outside designated areas.

The Washington Post reported that Carey was not charged under the executive order but for violating park regulations.

Carey's protest came shortly after President Trump described the American flag as the country's "most sacred and cherished symbol" in his executive order. The order directs the attorney general to enforce laws against flag-burning incidents that cause harm unrelated to expression, consistent with the First Amendment. Although Trump has advocated for a one-year jail sentence for flag burning, the order does not mandate specific legal penalties.