Jay Carey is a US army veteran who recently became the center of controversy after burning the American flag in protest against Trump’s executive order, find out more below
The incident took place in Lafayette Park, just a few steps away from the White House, after Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to punish flag burners.
Who is Jay Carey, army veteran who burned US flag in protest of Donald Trump’s executive order
This is Jay Carey, a Bronze Star recipient and an Army combat veteran from North Carolina.
He set fire to an American flag outside the White House and was arrested yesterday.
He was released from jail last night. Do you support him? 🙋🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/Uk7gM4jtIg
— Lucas Sanders 💙🗳️🌊💪🌈🚺🟧 (@LucasSa56947288) August 27, 2025
🚨 BREAKING: The man who set fire to an American flag outside the White House has been identified as Jay Carey—a Bronze Star recipient and Army combat veteran from North Carolina.
He burned the flag in protest of Donald Trump.
When the people who fought for the flag start… pic.twitter.com/SH9i6umPRo
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) August 27, 2025
Carey was reportedly calling his protest a defense of the First Amendment, insisting he fought for the right of free expression.
US army veteran Jay Carey burns US flag in protest
A US army veteran named Jay Carey set fire to an American flag on Monday evening in Lafayette Park, directly across from the White House. Police arrested him shortly after the incident, citing a violation of federal fire safety regulations. Videos from the incident show Carey insisting that flag burning is constitutional protest and was an act of defiance against Trump’s new executive order. Carey seemingly declared at the scene:
I fought for your rights, and this includes your right to burn the American flag,”
He explained that his protest specifically targeted Trump’s move to criminalize an act already protected under the Supreme Court’s Texas v. Johnson ruling (1989).
Reactions from netizens
Unsurprisingly, the protest quickly went viral on TikTok and X, and sparked all kinds of outrage and support alike. One user commented:
“Finally, a veteran saying what needs to be said: freedom isn’t selective.”
Another user commented:
“He fought for the Constitution. Respect that, even if you hate the act.”
Other users condemned him, stating:
“Disgraceful. He wore the uniform, now he burns the flag? Shame.”
Another user commented:
“This is why Trump was right. Protest without destroying symbols of our nation.”
Jay Carey biography and age
Jay Carey is a 52-year-old U.S. veteran and outspoken activist from North Carolina who is known for his strong Democratic views. Carey first went viral for confronting Representative Chuck Edwards at a town hall over budget cuts. Back in 2022, Carey even ran for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th District but lost out in the Democratic primary. Carey is a Bronze Star recipient, and his recent actions, including his flag-burning protest, are a part of a larger push for accountability from leaders that he believes have failed to serve the public.
He is an army combat veteran from North Carolina.
Military career
Jay Carey served a total of 22 years in the U.S. Army, including combat tours in Desert Storm (Iraq), Afghanistan, and Bosnia. Throughout his career, Jay rose through the ranks in the tank corps and won the Bronze Star for his service. After his retirement, Carey has used his platform to speak openly about his beliefs and often stresses how his decades of service were not meant to silence freedom of expression.
