Hawley Introduces Trump-Backed Legislation to Increase Penalties for Criminal Flag Burners

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Thursday, June 12, 2025
Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)introducedtheEnhanced Penalties for Criminal Flag Burners Act, which would enact sentencing enhancements for individuals who burn the American flag in the course of committing a federal offense. Just this week, President Trumpcalled onCongress to support Senator Hawley’s bill and send it to his desk. Senator Hawley is currently circulating the bill and inviting other Senators to join. Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) are co-sponsoring the legislation.“Committing a crime is not protected under the First Amendment. If you are putting people and property in danger and burning our flag in the process, you should serve extra time in prison,”said Senator Hawley.“I encourage all of my Republican colleagues to join President Trump in supporting this legislation. It’s time to restore law and order in America and demand our flag be treated with respect.”Rioters continue to escalate violence and set fires in major cities putting the public in danger, attacking federal buildings and destroying property. Their goal is violence—not speech, and these crimes are not protected behavior.The recent Los Angeles riots have featured a host of criminal activity—assaults on law enforcement, vandalism, theft, and more. Hundreds have been arrested. And during the commission of these crimes, many rioters have burned the American flag. This is arson masquerading as expression.If signed into law, theEnhanced Penalties for Criminal Flag Burners Actwould:
Read the full bill texthere.
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