WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors filed minor criminal charges Friday against a U.S. Army veteran who set fire to an American flag outside the White House in protest of President Donald Trump's attempt to ban flag burning.

Jan "Jay" Carey, 54, of North Carolina, is charged with lighting a fire in an undesignated area and lighting a fire in a manner that causes damage to real property or park resources. Both counts are Class "B" misdemeanors, also known as petty misdemeanors, which are the lowest category of federal offense. They carry a maximum sentence of no more than 6 months in prison and are regularly resolved in D.C. with only a small fine.

In a video capturing the flag burning in Lafayette Park, Carey said he was protesting Trump's executive order directing prosecutors to charge i

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