(Washington) The President of the United States, Donald Trump, signed a demanding decree of the justice department on Monday that he is investigating and pursuing anyone who burns the American flag, an activity that the United States Supreme Court judged as a legitimate political expression protected by the American Constitution.
The decree signed by the Republican President in the Oval Office recognizes the decision of the Court, rendered by five votes against four, in a Texan case in 1989, but specifies that it is always possible to continue the author of the burning of the flag if the act “is likely to encourage an imminent illegal action” or is similar to “aggressive remarks”.
In this case, the judges ruled by five votes against four that the first amendment protects the burning of the flag as a legitimate political expression. The deceased judge Antonin Scalia, an emblematic conservative figure that Donald Trump has repeatedly praised, was part of the majority.
The American president said on Monday that burning the flag “encourages riots of a magnitude never seen before”, some “becoming crazy” at the idea of burning it, while others express their anger. He did not provide examples.
The text of the decree stipulates that the desecration of the American flag is “particularly offensive and provocative”. “It is a declaration of contempt, hostility and violence against our nation – the clearest possible expression of the opposition to the political union which preserves our rights, our freedom and our security. Bringing this representation of the United States can encourage violence and riot, ”it’s up to be read.
The decree calls on the Attorney General to give priority to the “as far as possible” application of criminal and civil laws against burning of flags causing damage not linked to the first amendment.
The tenant of the White House said that the sentence for burning the American flag would be one year in prison without the possibility of early release.
Photo Mandel Ngan, Agency France-Presse
Donald Trump has signed decrees in the oval office.
The decree also stipulates that foreign nationals who burn the flag could be canceled their visas, residence permit, naturalization procedures and other advantages related to immigration. They could also be expelled.
Donald Trump said that the Supreme Court, who ruled that burning flags was protected by the Constitution, was “very sad”.
“I guess the decision was made with five votes to four. They invoked freedom of expression, said the president. But there is another reason, perhaps much more important. Her name is death. »»
“Because when a flag is burned, the area goes crazy,” said Trump. If there are hundreds of people, they go crazy. »»
