Trump on Twitter: Anyone Who burns American flag should be jailed or lose citizenship

Article via The Independent

Written by Heather Saul

Donald Trump has claimed Americans who burn the US flag should face “consequences” and suggested a year in prison or having their citizenship revoked would be suitable punishments.

The President-elect has been tweeting angrily at news outlet CNN during the past 24 hours over their report on his claim of electoral fraud after his victory in the US general election.

On Tuesday, he turned his attention to protesters burning the American flag, writing on Twitter: “Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag – if they do, there must be consequences – perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!”

Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag – if they do, there must be consequences – perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016

In 1989, the US Supreme Court ruled the act of burning the flag was protected by the First Amendment, which defends the right to free speech. In 2005, Mr Trump’s Democratic rival Hillary Clinton co-sponsored a bill that would make burning the American flag a criminal act punishable by one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Mr Trump’s tirade began again at 7am on Tuesday morning with more attacks on CNN and the network’s reporters, reaching a crescendo soon after with his suggestion flag burning should be a punishable offence.