A person was detained near the White House on Tuesday after setting fire to an American flag, just hours after President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to punish people who burn the flag.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed the detention in a statement to Newsweek.
“On Aug.25 at approximately 6:15 p.m., the U.S. Secret Service detained an individual in Lafayette Park for igniting an object,” the agency said. “The individual was subsequently turned over to U.S. Park Police as they have jurisdiction. We’d refer you to U.S. Park Police for any charges or additional questions.”
Newsweek reached out to the Park Police for additional comment via online form on Monday.
Trump’s executive order, which he signed Monday, defies longstanding Supreme Court precedent. The High Court issued a landmark 5-4 ruling in 1989 saying that burning the flag is protected by the First Amendment because it constitutes symbolic and political speech.
Justice William Brennan wrote at the time that the government could not prohibit expression merely because it’s offensive.
This is replacing a previous post: A Veteran was detained outside of the White House by Secret Service after burning an American flag. pic.twitter.com/kXL5gPc2aj
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) August 26, 2025
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