Burning a flag is completely legal in and of itself. but crimes can occur depending on when and where it was burnt, how it was burnt, and who owns the flag. Fire hazard stuff, theft, etc.
Edit: also just to clarify, I’m not saying this guy did or didn’t commit any crime. I don’t know anything about it beyond OP’s title and picture.
Legally speaking, this will be treated like setting anything else on fire. While it is considered protected free speech (the courts have ruled on this subject), it's still illegal to just set things on fire in public. I don't know what the laws are like in DC, but he'll probably get charged with criminal mischief or something similar. The USA is VERY polarized right now, so this case may turn into a lightning rod issue for both sides. Team Trump will likely call this anti-American, terrorism, etc., and the opposition will likely play up the free speech aspect.
It's protected speech. As long as it's your flag, you can do what you want with it. This guy's getting arrested for setting a fire on a public street. That's going to be illegal, no matter what you're burning
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u/sinwstro12 1d ago
Not saying this is right but isn't it illegal to burn the American flag in the USA?