President Donald Trump has announced a strict new punishment for anyone caught burning the American flag.
The directive, issued on Tuesday, October 1, 2025, came amid the ongoing US government shutdown, marking a tense political atmosphere in Washington.
Trump made the declaration through a post on his Truth Social platform, warning that offenders would face immediate arrest and one year in prison.
“To the ICE, Border Patrol, law enforcement, and US military. As per my August 25, 2025 executive order, please be advised that, from this point forward, anybody burning the American flag will be subject to one year in prison. You will be immediately arrested. Thank you for your attention on this matter,” the post read.
The US flag burning punishment order has quickly divided public opinion, with supporters hailing it as a patriotic move.
The announcement coincided with the first US federal government shutdown in six years.
The shutdown began after Congress failed to reach an agreement on the 2026 fiscal year budget, halting several federal operations.
The last major shutdown took place in January 2018, during Trump’s first term, when a standoff over funding for a proposed US-Mexico border wall led to a similar impasse.
The move draws parallels to previous cultural controversies.
In 2023, former President Joe Biden faced backlash after the Pride flag was displayed alongside the American flag at the White House during Pride Month, a gesture that conservatives condemned as “disrespectful.”
Moreover, Trump’s order underscores his continued emphasis on nationalism and strict law enforcement.
His latest policy appears to strengthen the administration’s stance on American values and national unity, particularly during times of political division.
