Trump Tweets Flag Burning Should be Illegal, Creates Media Storm

We’re not sure how the liberals missed it.  Just a cursory review of Donald Trump’s career obviously shows a man who is not the least bit reluctant to say whatever he wants.  And if that upsets some people, well that’s just too bad.  Somehow, perhaps the left thought the campaign would cause him to temper his comments.  It didn’t.  And after their worst nightmare happened – his victory in the presidential election – perhaps they thought for sure he would adopt a more establishment-like demeanor.  Wrong again.

If the leftist establishment thinks The Donald is going to become mild-mannered and constrain his more controversial remarks, the liberals are still missing it.  Not going to happen.  And his supporters are having the time of their lives.

Witness Mr. Trump’s recent comments on flag-burning.

Donald Trump would appear to have done something very controversial (again) on Twitter Tuesday morning, registering his support for making flag-burning a crime punishable by as much as a year in jail or even the revoking of one’s citizenship.

As our Philip Bump notes, it’s not the first time Trump has pitted himself against things that have been defined by the Supreme Court as First Amendment rights — nor will it likely be the last. And as Bump also notes, Trump’s decision to stand against flag-burning is likely to pit defenders of the practice “against the patriotism of people who find flag-burning unacceptable.”

The liberal Washington Post actually got something right about Mr. Trump — his remarks in opposition to what is considered “settled law” by the Supreme Court are not likely to be the last.  Correct.

Whether they and their colleagues in other mainstream media outlets have figured out that they cannot control what Mr. Trump says by trying to bully him remains to be seen.  But they seem to be getting the hint.  This is not Bill Clinton who could be counted on to massage his words into meaninglessness.  Such as his famous comment about what the meaning of “is” is.

But back to the flag burning issue.

With regard to burning the US flag, liberals should recognize that real people really gave their lives in defense of this nation, of which that flag is the ultimate symbol. For many devoted patriots, attacking the flag is to attack the valor and memory of those who defended it. Liberals should accept that, but don’t hold your breath.

The dedicated leftists on “The View” have weighed in on the matter as expected, using it as just one more opportunity to tell whomever watches that show how much they hate Mr. Trump.  Their commentary is tough stuff to stomach.  But if this gang liked Trump, then it would be time to worry.

Fox News takes a bit of a different approach as two attorneys are interviewed.  They quote the late Justice Antonin Scalia who despised the practice of burning the US flag, yet recognized it as protected free-speech under the First Amendment.

Here’s how the Post sums it up.

But his basic position on whether flag-burning should be illegal is really no more controversial than believing Roe v. Wade or Citizens United should be overturned — or that any other Supreme Court decision was wrongly decided and should be reversed or amended.

Perhaps the media is starting to wake up to the fact that there is a new sheriff in town.  They don’t like it.  They won’t like it.  But, as Mr. Trump would say, they will have to “deal with it.”

Source:  Washington Post

Citizenship can’t be stripped, so Trump obviously sent this tweet simply to make a point and express frustration, not as an actual declaration of exact laws he intends to create: