In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, revived his call for criminal punishment for those who burn the American flag.
Responding to demonstrators who took to the streets on Wednesday to condemn Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit, Trump, in a call-in interview with “Fox and Friends,” said that those who “do anything to desecrate the American flag” should be sentenced to one year in jail.
“Now, people will say, ‘Oh, it’s unconstitutional.’ Those are stupid people,” he said. “Those are stupid people that say that. We have to work in Congress to get a one-year jail sentence.”
The Supreme Court has held that flag burning is a form of speech protected by the First Amendment.
Thousands of protesters chanting “Free, free Palestine” marched toward the Capitol Wednesday.
Outside Washington’s Union Station, protesters removed American flags and hoisted Palestinian ones in their place.
Trump made a similar call after being elected in 2016, saying anyone who burns an American flag should face “consequences,” such as jail or a loss of citizenship.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump's likely Democratic opponent in November's election, also condemned the protesters, particularly denouncing the burning of the American flag.
Harris said that the demonstrations at Union Station featured "despicable acts by unpatriotic protestors and dangerous hate-fueled rhetoric."
"I condemn any individuals associating with the brutal terrorist organization Hamas, which has vowed to annihilate the State of Israel and kill Jews," Harris said in a statement. "Pro-Hamas graffiti and rhetoric is abhorrent and we must not tolerate it in our nation. I condemn the burning of the American flag. That flag is a symbol of our highest ideals as a nation and represents the promise of America. It should never be desecrated in that way."
"I support the right to peacefully protest, but let’s be clear: Antisemitism, hate and violence of any kind have no place in our nation," she added.
Also in the interview, Trump was asked if Biden should have used his Oval Office address on Wednesday night to resign. In his address, Biden spoke for the first time since stepping down from the Democratic presidential ticket and endorsing Vice President Harris to replace him.
Biden told the American public that the best way to unite the nation was to “pass the torch to a new generation.”
“I revere this office,” Biden said. “But I love my country more.”
Biden, who has often painted his predecessor and the 2024 Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, as a threat to democracy made clear that while he believed his accomplishments in office warranted a second term, his decision came down to putting American democracy first.
“Nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy,” Biden said in the Oval Office, surrounded by aides and members of his family. “That includes personal ambition.”
“There's also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices,” Biden, who is 81 years old, continued. “That time and place is now.”
The president praised his vice president, Kamala Harris, whom he endorsed on Sunday, as ”tough,” “capable” and an “incredible partner.”
“Now the choice is up to you, the American people,” Biden said, later reminding the public that history, power and the idea of America “lies in your hands.”
Many of his Republican allies have been making the case that if Biden isn’t fit to run again, he isn’t fit to serve and should step down.
But Trump seemed to disagree.
“Should he stay? I guess that’s up to him and it’s up to the people. And I don’t think they should use the 25th Amendment,” Trump told the hosts.
Trump went on to say that there’s “not long to go” on Biden’s term.
“You know, we have four months now and then he’s got another month-and-a-half,” he said, arguing the alternative — Vice President Kamala Harris taking over — would be worse. “I will say this: The world is at a very dangerous place. I think if he goes, she then takes over. And she’s worse than he is.”
Harris' campaign responded to Trump's appearance by highlighting his age, referring to him as a "78-year-old criminal," and questioning his mental fitness, posing the question: "After watching Fox News this morning we only have one question, is Donald Trump ok?"
"This election is about what America we want to live in," James Singer, a campaign spokesperson, said in a statement. "An erratic Donald Trump offers only chaos, fear, and hate. The dangerous threats of an old man don’t create jobs, protect our rights, or keep us safe. Vice President Kamala Harris offers something different: freedom, lower costs, and opportunity for all."