Army veteran arrested for burning American flag hours after The President’s executive order
News | By Easton Martin | August 26, 2025
A retired Army combat veteran was arrested outside the White House only hours after President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at criminalizing the desecration of the American flag.
The man, identified as Jay Carey, set fire to a flag in Lafayette Square while shouting that the president’s order was unconstitutional. Carey insisted that his actions were protected under the First Amendment and accused Trump of attempting to trample on free speech rights. Secret Service agents quickly put out the fire and U.S. Park Police placed Carey under arrest. Officials later clarified that he was charged not with flag burning itself, but with violating regulations that prohibit open flames on federal property.
The arrest came shortly after Trump signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to pursue prosecution of flag desecration when it is considered incitement to lawless action or fighting words. While the move was praised by many who view the flag as a sacred national symbol, critics argue that it directly challenges long standing Supreme Court precedent which has recognized flag burning as symbolic speech.
Carey was later released and defended his actions in a video statement, declaring that no president has the authority to override constitutional protections.
