United States President Donald Trump has reportedly called for restrictions on the free speech of Americans, suggesting in a call with state governors earlier this week that the burning of the national flag should be made illegal.
The president was speaking to the regional leaders against a backdrop of widespread protests – often violent – over the death of George Floyd. Floyd died after being taken into police custody in Minneapolis. Cellphone footage showed the arresting officer, Derek Chauvin, placing his knee against Floyd’s neck while Floyd was handcuffed and lying on the ground. Floyd died as a result.
Reports indicated that Trump told the governors he was not a ‘believer’ in flag burning and that a ‘powerful statute’ should be passed to outlaw that form of free speech.
Burning an American flag is protected under the country’s First Amendment right, which protects free speech.
Germany recently passed legislation which made it a hate crime to burn the flag of the European Union or any national flag.