Tuesday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) reacted to a tweet put out by President-elect Donald Trump calling for “consequences” for those that engage in burning the American flag.
Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag – if they do, there must be consequences – perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2016
McCarthy told “Morning Joe” co-host Willie Geist that while he did not see why someone would want to burn the American flag, he did believe that First Amendment rights should be upheld and allow for people to burn the flag.
“In my neck of the woods, people don’t burn their flags,” McCarthy said. “They actually honor their flags. I don’t see why someone would want to burn it. But we have a First Amendment right. Where I come from, you honor the flag. If someone wanted to show their First Amendment right, I’d be afraid for their own safety, but we’ll protect our First Amendment.”
McCarthy noted that the courts back his belief up on flag burning, but cited the virtues the flag represents as to why he does not understand why someone would want to engage in such a show of expression.
“That is what the court has upheld,” he added. “I think the best we can have going for us is growing an economy. I don’t see why anybody would want to burn an American flag. It’s the greatest symbol of freedom – a country that was conceived in liberty and a dedicated proposition that all men are equal.”
Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor
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