The Michael Knowles Show Ep. 1801 - Trump's Flag-Burning Ban Is A Litmus Test
Aug 26, 2025
The discussion kicks off with Trump's push to prosecute flag burning, igniting a debate on patriotism versus free speech. A notable decline in the U.S. immigrant population raises eyebrows, linking to shifting societal attitudes. Snoop Dogg's unexpected criticism of LGBTQ+ representation in Disney films adds a cultural twist. The impact of population movements on the Electoral College is also examined, as conservative states gain ground. Amidst this, the complexities of political accountability and evolving definitions of American identity take center stage.
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Restoring Reverence For The Flag
- Michael Knowles argues Trump's flag-burning executive order restores sacred reverence for the flag and aims to prosecute desecration tied to incitement.
- He frames this as a conservative corrective to libertarian proceduralism and modern secular erosion of the sacred.
Choose Substantive Over Procedural Conservatism
- Embrace substantive conservatism that uses bans to reduce harmful acts rather than libertarian proceduralism.
- Prioritize laws that protect shared symbols and social cohesion over pure procedural neutrality.
1989 Marked A Legal Shift, Not Tradition
- Knowles questions why flag-burning protection emerged only in 1989 and notes 48 states previously criminalized flag burning.
- He uses this to argue the Supreme Court's rulings represented a modern shift, not historical consensus.
