Federal prosecutors filed two Class "B" misdemeanors against Carey: lighting a fire in an undesignated area and lighting a fire in a manner that causes damage to real property or park resources. These are considered the lowest category of federal offense and carry a maximum sentence of no more than six months in prison, often resolved with a small fine.
Carey's actions on August 25 came just hours after an executive order was signed to punish flag burning. In videos that quickly circulated online,
Carey, who served in Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Bosnia, explained his protest as a "direct challenge" to the order, asserting his First Amendment right to free speech. "I fought for every single one of your rights," he said to onlookers, "to express yourself in however you feel that you may want to express yourself."
The incident marks the latest in a series of highly visible political acts for Carey. In 2022, he ran for Congress as a Democrat in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, the seat currently held by Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards. Although he did not win the primary, he became a recognizable advocate for veterans' rights, healthcare access, and other community issues.
He gained wider attention in March when a video of a passionate, expletive-laden exchange with Rep. Edwards at a town hall in Asheville went viral. In the video, Carey criticized the congressman's voting record and stance on issues affecting veterans, telling an Asheville newspaper that the outburst was the "only way to really get his attention."
Carey, who has since stated he no longer plans to run for elected office, has shifted his focus to activism. He is part of a newly formed veterans' group, "Remember Your Oath," which organized the protest in Washington. The group aims to be a visible presence to protest recent policies and support veterans' rights.
WNCTimes