The First Amendment — how does it work? Trump still seems unclear

https://twitter.com/clj_clj/status/807330396752977921

Donald Trump is at it again. This afternoon in Louisiana, he told a rapt audience that “something” might have to be done about people who burn the American flag:

This stuff is not funny. Trump is back at it again with the flag burning business https://t.co/vabylICXLG pic.twitter.com/y7hdYfuoeM

— Colin Jones (@colinjones) December 9, 2016

Transcript:

Frankly, when I see people ripping up the American flag — like that flag, beautiful — when I see it, I think it’s a disgrace. OK? And you can say what you want. Free speech, it’s all wonderful. Everything’s wonderful. I’m a big believer in free speech. But maybe we’re gonna be putting something in to see if we can do something about it, because this is a special case, and when I see people burning the American flag, and then stepping on it as it’s burning up, and then stomping on it and stepping on it on the ground, I don’t think, I don’t think of the, I don’t think I remember that when I was growing up. Does that — right? How many of you guys are young like me? Remember when we were very young? I don’t remember that happening. So, we’re gonna have to, I think we’re gonna have to do something about that.

@LeutrimRexhaj …"I'm a big believer in free speech, but…"

— Timo Brock (@Brockster310) December 9, 2016

“I’m a big believer in free speech, but” is something you say when you’re not, in fact, a big believer in free speech. Burning the flag may be an abhorrent act, but it’s not illegal. Suggesting it should be criminalized suggests you don’t understand how the First Amendment works.

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Grateful Calvin

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Which sounds exactly like Trump.

Assuming you think the flag stands for free speech, censoring it is more disrespectful than burning the flag ever could be.

— Nathan (@nathanallenwade) December 9, 2016

The President doesn't swear to protect the flag – he swears to protect the Constitution. this proposal of Trumps tramples it.

— Scott (It was bribery) Berfield (@sberfield) December 9, 2016

To be fair, in 2005, Hillary also got behind criminalizing flag burning. So Donald’s in good company, at least.

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Related:

‘Like his idol Putin’: ‘Total thug’ Donald trumpets his mission to torch the First Amendment

What would Justice Scalia say? Donald Trump suggests harsh new penalties for flag burning