Overview

• President Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 25 directing the Justice Department and federal prosecutors to prioritize cases tied to flag desecration.
• Trump said offenders would face one year in prison without early release, but that punishment is not contained in the order’s text.
• The order instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to evaluate whether incidents can be charged under public‑order or environmental laws.
• A separate decree creates a specialized National Guard unit for Washington, D.C., adds prosecutors and park police staffing, and tightens pretrial release practices.
• Within hours, the Secret Service arrested a veteran in Lafayette Park after he ignited a flag‑like object, as civil‑liberties groups denounced the move as a free‑speech violation.