Federal Prosecutors Seek Dismissal of Charges Against Man Who Burned American Flag Outside White House
Federal prosecutors in Washington, D.C. have requested to dismiss charges against a man who burned an American flag outside the White House following an executive order from President Trump. The man, Jan Carey, faced two misdemeanor charges in federal court in D.C., not directly related to flag burning. The charges were for lighting a fire in an unauthorized area and causing damage to property. These charges carried a penalty of a fine or up to six months in custody.
Carey had pleaded not guilty and was contesting his indictment. The U.S. Attorney's office in D.C. and Carey's lawyer did not immediately comment on the case. In a video of the flag burning, Carey, a military veteran, stated that he was protesting the executive order and wanted to test its legality by burning a flag in front of the White House.
President Trump's executive order directed the Department of Justice to investigate flag burning, despite the Supreme Court's 1989 ruling that flag burning is protected under the First Amendment as symbolic speech. The order aimed to target flag burning cases that violated other laws and could incite lawless action or be considered "fighting words." Trump has previously advocated for harsh penalties, such as loss of citizenship or jail time, for those who burn the American flag.
In conclusion, federal prosecutors in D.C. have moved to drop charges against Jan Carey, who burned an American flag outside the White House in protest of President Trump's executive order. The charges were not directly related to flag burning, and Carey was challenging his indictment. President Trump's order to investigate flag burning cases attempted to circumvent the Supreme Court's ruling protecting flag burning as free speech.