Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base over Flag-Burning Order

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to prosecute anyone who burns the American flag to the fullest extent permitted by law, describing flag burning as a uniquely offensive and provocative act that incites violence and expresses contempt for the nation. The order claims flag burning is sometimes used by foreign nationals to intimidate Americans and calls for strict enforcement, including potential jail time. However, the move has sparked criticism from conservative commentators and legal experts who argue that flag burning is protected under the First Amendment as free speech, citing the 1989 Supreme Court decision Texas v. Johnson. Critics, including right-wing radio hosts and commentators, contend the order is unconstitutional and could provoke more flag burning as a form of protest. Legal scholars and commentators emphasize that presidential executive orders cannot override constitutional rights, and some see the order as a distraction from other controversial issues within the administration. Despite the backlash, the administration maintains it will pursue prosecutions within constitutional limits.