Final answer:
The primary purpose of flagging is to protect the U.S. flag from desecration. Both state and federal laws exist to safeguard the flag as a symbol of national unity and respect. Burning the U.S. flag has been a controversial act of symbolic speech.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary purpose of flagging is to protect the U.S. flag from desecration. Both state and federal laws have long existed to safeguard the flag as a symbol of national unity and respect. However, the burning of the U.S. flag has been a controversial act of symbolic speech, often used by individuals to draw attention to their opposition to government policies.