Trump to crack down on flag burning, desecration with executive order

The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute cases of flag desecration under federal law, and to pass on cases that fall under state or local law to local authorities.

🚨 BREAKING: President Trump is planning on signing an executive order Thursday CRACKING DOWN on those who burn the American flag

Trump is ordering the DOJ to attempt to bring charges of disorderly conduct, public nuisance, environmental violations, and more to those who burn… pic.twitter.com/yTYMw2r6If

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 20, 2025

It also instructs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to limit or revoke visas and other immigration benefits for non-citizens where flag desecration provides legal grounds for doing so, Fox News said.

The move comes after a series of incidents in which the American flag was burned during public protests. Fox News pointed to demonstrations in US cities over the past year, including anti-Israel rallies in Washington, DC, and New York, and anti-immigration protests in Los Angeles, where protesters were seen burning the flag while carrying Mexican flags.

Flag burning has long been a controversial issue in the United States. The Supreme Court ruled in 1989 in Texas v. Johnson that burning the flag is protected as free speech under the First Amendment. Trump has previously called for tougher measures, saying those who desecrate the flag should face consequences.

Fox News said the executive order is part of the president’s wider efforts to promote patriotism, which have included restrictions on which flags can be flown at US embassies.