OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
2:18 PM – Tuesday, August 26, 2025
A man was arrested on Monday after setting fire to an American flag at Lafayette Park, a federal park close to the White House, just hours after President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at cracking down on U.S. flag-burning.
The U.S. Secret Service told The Hill that the individual was detained “for igniting” the flag, and he was handed over to the U.S. Park Police, which has jurisdiction over the park.
Soon after, the U.S. Park Police announced that they had arrested the individual at Lafayette Park at around 6:30 p.m. local time for violating 36 CFR 2.13(a)(1), a regulation that prohibits lighting or maintaining a fire except in designated areas or receptacles.
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However, authorities declined to release the person’s identity, noting that such information is not made public until charges are formally filed in court.
Nonetheless, a video shared by The Bulwark alleges to have recorded the man in question, who identified himself as a U.S. Army veteran with more than 20 years of service. In the clip, he openly declares that he was “burning this flag as a protest to that illegal fascist president that sits in that house,” while gesturing toward the White House.
0:25 seconds into The Bulwark-provided video, the alleged suspect can be seen.
“I fought for every single one of your rights to express yourself in however you feel that you may want to express yourself. There’s a First Amendment right to burn the American flag,” the furious man shouted into his bullhorn, adding, “No president can make a law, period!”
On Monday, President Trump signed an executive order directing the attorney general to pursue cases in which individuals “desecrate” the American flag, including identifying any relevant state or local laws that may have been violated.
The order also instructs administration officials to revoke or deny visas for foreign nationals found to have engaged in U.S. flag desecration.
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