Trump proposes one-year jail sentence for flag burners and defends military response to LA immigration protests.

Trump Condemns Protesters and Defends Military Deployment

President Donald Trump has sharply criticized demonstrators in Los Angeles who burned American flags during protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Speaking at Fort Bragg on Tuesday during a ceremony marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, Trump referred to the protesters as “animals” and suggested that individuals who desecrate the American flag should face a mandatory one-year jail sentence.

“They don’t carry the American flag. They only burn it,” Trump told the assembled service members and veterans. “People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year. We’re going to try and get that done. We’re working with some of your senators.”

The president’s remarks come in the wake of growing unrest in Los Angeles, where thousands have protested recent ICE operations. In response, the Trump administration deployed more than 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to the city. The move has drawn sharp criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who filed a lawsuit Monday arguing that Trump’s actions violated the state’s 10th Amendment rights by asserting federal control over the National Guard.

“Come after me. Arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy,” Newsom challenged during a press briefing, referring to the president’s threats of legal action against him for allegedly obstructing ICE operations.

Justice Department Investigates Protest Funding

In addition to advocating penalties for flag burning, Trump stated that his administration is examining the financial sources behind the ongoing demonstrations. “We’re going to find out through Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice who it is,” he said at Fort Bragg.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, in her first public statement since the protests began, confirmed that the Department of Justice has opened nine cases related to the unrest. She echoed Trump’s hardline stance, stating, “As President Trump said: You spit we hit. Get ready.”

Trump reiterated his support for criminal penalties in an interview released Monday on a new podcast hosted by New York Post columnist Miranda Devine. “If you burn an American flag — because they were burning a lot of flags in Los Angeles — I think you go to jail for one year. Just automatic,” he said during the podcast appearance.

As tensions escalate, the administration appears determined to pursue punitive actions against protesters and state officials seen as impeding federal immigration enforcement. The debate over states’ rights, federal authority, and protester rights continues to deepen, with potential legislative and legal battles on the horizon.