Donald Trump’s latest executive order has rustled some feathers, with many believing the rule is an 'attack on free speech'.
Brand new executive orders and a raft of rule changes for Americans have been flying out of the White House ever since Trump returned to office for his second presidential term in January this year.
Some of his most controversial sign-offs include an aggressive crackdown on immigration, including an end to birthright citizenship, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change, ending diversity programs in the federal government, and a raft of restrictions for transgender people in healthcare, the military, and sports... just to name a few.
The POTUS' pen shows no signs of stopping either, as the 79-year-old signed yet another contentious executive order on August 25 that many fear is an assault on the First Amendment.
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The order stipulates that the American flag is 'the most sacred and cherished symbol' of the country, lending to 'American freedom, identity and strength'.
So precious is the flag that the Trump administration has now deemed any attacks on it, such as burning it, a 'provocative' offense worth criminal action of up to a year in prison.
"It is a statement of contempt, hostility, and violence against our Nation — the clearest possible expression of opposition to the political union that preserves our rights, liberty, and security," the order continues, adding that burning it could 'incite violence and riot'.
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"American Flag burning is also used by groups of foreign nationals as a calculated act to intimidate and threaten violence against Americans because of their nationality and place of birth," it adds.
The order concludes anyone found desecrating the flag will be prosecuted under criminal law, similarly to violent crimes, hate crime and property crimes, despite existing Supreme Court precedent protecting the act to burn the flag as free speech under the First Amendment.
Trump's order also seeks to refuse or cancel visas and deport non-US citizens if they are found guilty of burning the flag.
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In a press conference while signing it, Trump added: "They're burning flags all over the world. They burn the American flag and, as you know, through a very sad court, I guess it was a five to four decision, they called it freedom of speech."
Trump then poised it's actually 'called death', adding that people 'go crazy' when the flag is burnt and will now see a penalty of 12 months in jail - 'no early exits, no nothing'.
Dozens of people on Reddit have since slammed the notion, claiming it tiptoes towards losing 'our right to free speech'.
"We’re f****d," said one.
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Another says Trump doesn't have 'the power to enact a mandatory sentence', adding: "This is, of course, before considering the fact that flag burning is a constitutionally protected right."
Many more pointed out how burning the flag is often considered the 'respectful way to dispose of an unserviceable flag'.
"He can't unilaterally make something illegal in the first place, much less set a minimum sentence. This is pure theater," a third chimed.
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Another comment read: "I wonder why the MUH FREE SPEECH people are so quiet about this," while a fifth added: "Liar liar constitution is on fire."
The president has long touted his belief that burning the American flag should be met with a jail term or revoked citizenship which heightened amid the immigration raid protests in Los Angeles over the summer.
However, many suspect his order will be fought in court as the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) said Trump doesn't have 'the power to revise the First Amendment with the stroke of a pen,' as per USA Today.
"You don't have to like flag burning," FIRE Chief Counsel Bob Corn-Revere added. "You can condemn it, debate it, or hoist your own flag even higher. The beauty of free speech is that you get to express your opinions, even if others don't like what you have to say."
Topics: Donald Trump, Immigration, Politics, US News
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