U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that anyone who burns the American flag will face immediate arrest and a one-year prison sentence.
Trump made the declaration in a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, referencing his August 25, 2025 executive order on flag desecration.
“To ICE, Border Patrol, Law Enforcement, and all U.S. Military: As per my August 25, 2025 Executive Order, please be advised that, from this point forward, anybody burning the American flag will be subject to one year in prison. You will be immediately arrested,” Trump wrote.
The president has long advocated for tougher penalties on flag desecration, a stance that has sparked intense debate in the U.S.
In August, Trump signed an executive order directing federal prosecutors to file criminal charges against individuals who burn the American flag during protests, solidifying his push to criminalize the act.
The move is expected to trigger fresh legal and constitutional challenges, as flag burning remains protected speech under a landmark 1989 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
