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American flag touches the ground at SCOTUS nominee event, Internet slams Trump for 'violating federal law'

The nomination of Amy Coney Barrett took place in Rose Garden in White House, and what caught the eye of the Internet was how a specimen of the American flag was touching the ground

Did President Donald Trump just disrespect the American flag? This question has annoyed the Internet since images splashed on social media ahead of the POTUS announcing Amy Coney Barrett as SCOTUS nominee on Saturday, September 26. The nomination of Barrett took place in the Rose Garden in White House that was all decked up for the event. The photos and videos on the Internet show the lush green ground being surmounted with the periphery of white pillars. Further, American flags adorned the area near the pillars. However, what caught the eye of the Internet was how one specimen of the flag was suggestively touching the ground. While it is not yet clear if there was enough gap between the flag and the ground or whether the flag was folded to not touch the ground, the Internet was quick to judge POTUS over this.

Many felt that Trump has never held the American Flag in reverence. Others felt that the flag is symbolic of American pride which has been let down over time. Many felt this could never have happened in former president Barack Obama’s tenure. Previously, Reuters reported that the Trump administration in 2020 decided to move the national flag honoring missing war veterans from a prominent position atop the White House to a less notable spot on the South Lawn. The decision had angered some veterans and lawmakers who see it as disrespectful and potentially illegal. In early September, Trump also received backlash for allegedly disparaging fallen veterans, soldiers, and troops as claimed by an Atlantic report. Reuters reported that Trump’s critics noticed that he has a “pattern” of disrespecting the US military. However, Trump’s campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh defended him and said the POTUS has shown his “reverence for American service members by both his words and deeds”.

Soon after the recent photos of the flag splashed on the Internet, people started criticizing Trump. A user wrote, “Trump and his followers claim to hold the American flag in such high reverence. Yet, in The Rose Garden, before Trump announcing Amy Coney Barrett as SCOTUS nominee, the American Flag is deliberately touching the ground — against all traditions, rules, & American Flag protocols.” Another wrote bashing Trump, “The American flag has been touching the floor ever since Donald Trump became president! American pride at the lowest level ever.”

Some compared him to Obama, “It would never happen under Obama's tenure. 3’s flagrant disregard for the military is apparent.” Another concurred, “Commander & Chief not knowing American flag protocol is disrespectful and despicable. Trump fails again.” Some called it a violation of Federal law.  A user wrote,“Oy vey! Never, ever, let the US Flag touch the ground! It’s a violation of Federal law goddammit. Federal law states: 'The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.' Law & Order!” Others tried to cite logics that maybe the flag is not touching the ground. “I see light underneath it. They have a line tying it so it can't blow at the bottom too. Enlarge the photo and look at it. A good 1/2 inch off the pavement. Better luck next time.”