President Donald Trump has made a habit of saluting during the national anthem despite the flag code indicating that he should simply place his hand over his heart.
On Monday night, attending Game 3 of the NBA finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, Trump did it again during the national anthem – as fans loudly booed him.
At first, as those around him – including his granddaughter Kai and several members of his cabinet – put their hands on their hearts, the president stared straight ahead without moving. Then he saluted, before doing a fist pump.
However, there have been questions over whether he should salute during the national anthem at all.
The regulation, 36 U.S. Code § 301, states that during a rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, “individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note.”
“Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform,” the code continues. “All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.”
It also notes that “when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.”
Trump saluted during the national anthem at an Army-Navy football game, he did so during his inauguration proceedings in January last year, and during a church service at Washington National Cathedral. Everyone else around him placed their hand over their heart – but not the commander-in-chief who went with a salute, despite not being in uniform.
It’s unclear why Trump chooses to salute during the national anthem as he has never served in the armed forces, famously facing allegations that he cited bone spurs to get out of the draft during the Vietnam War.
