Federal Judge Allows Display of Anti-Trump Flag

A federal judge, appointed by Obama, has made a decision that permits the anti-Trump “86 47” flag to be displayed. This ruling is a win for progressive activist groups, especially at a time when the National Mall has become a focal point for vandalism and threats against President Trump.

The group Accountability Now USA put the flag up near the National Mall, arguing that the National Park Service (NPS) is infringing on their First Amendment rights by threatening to take away permits. U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss, based in Washington, D.C., ruled that the flag is indeed protected political speech.

Interestingly, the government has viewed “86” as a potential political threat, as it’s often used in the restaurant industry to indicate refusing service. Meanwhile, “47” is interpreted as referring to Trump being the 47th president of the U.S.

A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior expressed concern about the implications of the ruling, stating that no administration should have to tolerate threats against the presidency. “Have we lost the decency to treat any threats against the president with seriousness?” the spokesperson questioned.

Judge Moss clarified in his ruling, saying that the “8647” flag does not constitute a genuine threat or incitement to violence. He also addressed another two flags displayed, which accused Trump of sexually assaulting minors, and ruled they are “not legally obscene,” thus protected under the First Amendment.

Moss, who previously served under Bill Clinton’s Justice Department, has been involved with Democratic candidates and causes throughout his career.

He noted in a previous statement that the genuine threat to the president’s safety outweighs public interest in promoting unlawful conduct. The heightened focus on the “86 47” message follows an incident where the numbers were etched into the lawn between the Washington Monument and the WWII memorial last month.

There’s also an upcoming significant event in D.C. as the country prepares for its 250th anniversary celebrations. This will likely draw large crowds, leading to heavy security and road closures.

President Trump is set to attend the July 4th “Salute to America” event, with his speech expected to start around 9 p.m. ET, just before a massive fireworks display touted as the largest ever on the National Mall.

Earlier this year, attention was drawn to the National Mall due to a number of vandalism incidents directed at reflecting pools and monuments. The White House indicated these damages appeared after Trump ordered repairs to the reflecting pool, revealing scratches on its lining.