President Donald Trump’s latest executive order on flag burning has triggered an unusual wave of pushback from conservatives, many of whom argue that the measure runs against core First Amendment principles—even while they personally abhor the act of burning the American flag.

On Monday, Trump signed an order directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute violations of existing laws on flag desecration and to pursue litigation aimed at clarifying the constitutional limits of free speech in this area. The order also instructs Bondi to refer cases involving violations of state and local laws to appropriate authorities.

The move comes after months of protests where demonstrators burned American flags in anti-Israel and anti-ICE rallies. But instead of uniting conservatives, the order divided them.

Pushback From the Right

Several conservative voices made it clear that while they oppose flag burning morally, they oppose the government stepping in to ban or punish it.

“Banning flag burning is absurd. It’s anti–free speech and peak snowflake behavior,” wrote evolutionary biologist Colin Wright. “I would never burn the American flag because of what it symbolizes to me. But the act of banning the burning of it runs more contrary to American values than the burning itself ever could.”

Radio host Jesse Kelly echoed that sentiment, saying, “I would never in a million years harm the American flag. But a president telling me I can’t has me as close as I’ll ever be to lighting one on fire. I am a free American citizen. And if I ever feel like torching one, I will. This is garbage.”

Others, such as Dana Loesch, Erick Erickson, and RedState contributor Bonchie, argued that while flag burning is offensive, the Constitution protects it. Erickson noted bluntly: “It is unfortunately well-settled constitutional law that burning the flag is a matter of free speech and the executive does not get to create crimes.”

Defenders of the Order

Not everyone on the right was critical. Some commentators emphasized that Trump’s order does not create a blanket ban on flag burning but applies to cases where the act is tied to violence or lawless behavior.

Podcast host Kira Davis explained, “POTUS explained this is not a blanket ban. This is a commitment to investigate flag-burning incidents that occur in a ‘terroristic’ context. If it is determined the flags were burned in provocation of violence, then criminal sentencing kicks in. It’s not a total ban.”

Similarly, Kristen Mag, after reviewing the order’s text, wrote that it criminalizes flag burning “only when it’s intended to incite violence or when it’s accompanied by other lawless action.”

The White House echoed this defense. Spokesperson Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital, “President Trump will not allow the American Flag – a special symbol of our country’s greatness – to be used as a tool to incite violence and riots that jeopardize the safety of everyday Americans. President Trump will always protect the First Amendment, while simultaneously implementing commonsense, tough-on-crime policies to prevent violence and chaos.”

Constitutional Questions Ahead

The executive order is expected to spark litigation. The Supreme Court ruled in Texas v. Johnson (1989) that flag burning is a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment. Trump’s order specifically instructs the Justice Department to “pursue litigation to clarify the scope of the First Amendment exceptions,” particularly in cases involving incitement to violence or hate crimes.

For Christians, the debate over flag burning highlights the tension between respecting national symbols and protecting God-given freedoms enshrined in the Constitution. Scripture reminds believers to “honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17). Many see honoring the flag as part of showing respect, while others emphasize the importance of defending liberty, even when it protects offensive acts.

As the nation debates Trump’s order, Christians are reminded to pray for wisdom among leaders and to balance patriotism with a deeper allegiance to Christ and His kingdom.