President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing the U.S. attorney general to prosecute those who burn or in any way desecrate the American flag, leading to criticism by free speech advocates.

President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to sign an executive order targeting burning the U.S. flag -- an act the Supreme Court of the United States has repeatedly ruled is protected speech.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order charging the Department of Justice with investigating cases of flag desecration and burning, saying that anybody who burns a U.S. flag would be charged with inciting a riot. Trump said burning an American flag “incites riots at levels we’ve never seen before.”