Man arrested outside of White House after burning flag to protest Trump EO

A crowd just steps from the White House watched as a man doused an American flag with accelerant and set it ablaze. The moment, captured on video and circulated on social media, showed him addressing bystanders through a bullhorn before lighting the fire.

The individual later identified himself as Jay Carey, a self-described 20-year combat veteran. Carey explained that his actions were intended as a protest in defense of the First Amendment right to burn the flag.

"I fought for every single one of your rights to express yourself in however you feel that you may want to express yourself. It is a First Amendment right to burn the American flag," Carey said.

"I’m burning this flag as a protest to that illegal fascist president that sits in that house. We burn this flag in protest to that president who feels that it’s his right to do whatever he wants, make whatever law he wants, regardless if it’s legal or illegal," he proclaimed.

Authorities quickly intervened and placed him under arrest. The incident unfolded Monday, only hours after President Trump signed an executive order aimed at tightening consequences for flag desecration.

The Secret Service confirmed that they “detained an individual in Lafayette Park for igniting an object,” according to WaPo.

Trump's EO states:

Our great American Flag is the most sacred and cherished symbol of the United States of America, and of American freedom, identity, and strength.  Over nearly two-and-a-half centuries, many thousands of American patriots have fought, bled, and died to keep the Stars and Stripes waving proudly.  The American Flag is a special symbol in our national life that should unite and represent all Americans of every background and walk of life.  Desecrating it is uniquely offensive and provocative.  It is a statement of contempt, hostility, and violence against our Nation — the clearest possible expression of opposition to the political union that preserves our rights, liberty, and security.  Burning this representation of America may incite violence and riot.  American Flag burning is also used by groups of foreign nationals as a calculated act to intimidate and threaten violence against Americans because of their nationality and place of birth.

Notwithstanding the Supreme Court’s rulings on First Amendment protections, the Court has never held that American Flag desecration conducted in a manner that is likely to incite imminent lawless action or that is an action amounting to “fighting words” is constitutionally protected.  See Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397, 408-10 (1989).

My Administration will act to restore respect and sanctity to the American Flag and prosecute those who incite violence or otherwise violate our laws while desecrating this symbol of our country, to the fullest extent permissible under any available authority.