Justice Department Drops Charges Against Veteran Who Burned Flag Outside White House

Flag Burning Protest Prosecution·March 13 – March 14, 2026

1 month ago

Justice Department Drops Charges Against Veteran Who Burned Flag Outside White House

The Department of Justice moved to dismiss misdemeanor charges against Jan Carey, a U.S. Army veteran arrested for burning an American flag in Lafayette Square. Carey performed the act to protest a presidential executive order that specifically targeted flag burning. Federal prosecutors filed the motion to drop the case on March 14, 2026. The Justice Department ended the prosecution following the veteran's arrest near the White House. Prosecutors moved to dismiss the misdemeanor charges that were originally brought under the administration's new policy. The decision to drop the case ends the legal challenge against the veteran for his protest action. Other news reports confirmed the dismissal of charges against Carey.

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Key Statements

TThe New York Times

“The Justice Department dismissed misdemeanor charges against veteran Jay Carey, who burned an American flag outside the White House to protest an executive order targeting flag burning.”

Confirms the DOJ's decision to drop the case despite the president's executive order.