Trump says he’s ‘all in’ on proposed constitutional amendment to ban burning of American flag

President Trump says he is ‘all in’ in support of a ‘no brainer’ constitutional amendment which would ban the burning of the American flag.

The president took to Twitter on Saturday to declare his support for the amendment which was introduced by Senator Steve Daines of Montana.

The amendment, which was co-sponsored by Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, was put forward on Friday, which coincided with Flag Day.

‘Our United States flag is a timeless symbol of liberty that tells the story of America, the story of our enduring pursuit of freedom,’ Daines said.

President Trump (left) on Saturday tweeted in support of a proposed constitutional amendment by Senator Steve Daines (right) of Montana to ban flag burning

The president tweeted: ‘All in for Senator Steve Daines as he proposes an Amendment for a strong BAN on burning our American Flag. A no brainer!’

‘The American Flag is a symbol of freedom – and it should always be protected,’ Daines tweeted on Friday

‘Remembering the sacrifices of all who carried its colors into battle, our nation should always render the flag the honor and dignity it is due.’

This is the third time in the last three years that Daines has introduced proposed legislation seeking to give Congress the authority to ban the burning of the Stars and Stripes.

But the Supreme Court has already ruled that the burning of the flag is protected under the First Amendment.

Forty-eight states passed laws against flag burning, but those laws were ruled unconstitutional in 1989 following the Supreme Court decision in the Texas v. Johnson case.

‘Johnson’ refers to Gregory Johnson, who was arrested by authorities in Texas after he burned the flag outside the Republican National Convention in Dallas in 1984.

In 1989, the Supreme Court ruled that flag burning is protected speech following the arrest in 1984 of Gregory Johnson. Johnson (seen above burning an American flag in Cleveland in 2016), will be paid $225,000 by the city of Cleveland after he was arrested in July 2016

Earlier this week, the city of Cleveland agreed to pay the 63-year-old Johnson $225,000 after he was arrested for burning the American flag outside the Republican Convention in Cleveland in 2016, according to The New York Times.

The Supreme Court as it is currently constituted is unlikely to reconsider the issue.

While there is a conservative majority on the court, Chief Justice John Roberts and newly nominated Justice Brett Kavanaugh, have both indicated that they support the 1989 Court decision.

Weeks after he won the election, Trump tweeted: ‘Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag – if they do, there must be consequences – perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!’