“They weren’t being burned by people from our country, or from people that love our country. People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year,” Trump continued. “We’ll see if we can get that done. We’re going to try and get that done. We’re working with some of your senators.”
Former President Donald Trump has condemned anti-ICE protesters in Los Angeles, labeling them “animals” for burning the American flag and carrying flags of foreign nations. Speaking at Fort Bragg during an event commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, Trump proposed a one-year jail sentence for anyone who burns the American flag. “These are animals, but they proudly carry the flags of other countries… People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year,” Trump told a crowd of service members and veterans.
Trump reiterated his stance during a Monday interview on Devine Intervention, a new podcast by New York Post columnist Miranda Devine. “I happen to think if you burn an American flag… you go to jail for one year. Just automatic,” he said. His remarks follow his controversial deployment of over 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to immigration protests.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has challenged the deployment, filing a lawsuit against the federal government for violating the state’s 10th Amendment rights. Trump responded by threatening to take action against Newsom. The governor fired back: “Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy.”