N.J. Man Risks $2,000 Fine and Jail Time to Fly Donald Trump Campaign Flags on His Property

A New Jersey man was recently informed that the Donald Trump flags he had on display in front of his home could cost him a fine of $2,000 or 90 days in jail, according to NJ.com.

Joseph Hornick’s two “Make America Great Again” flags have been vandalized and stolen multiple times, but the avid Trump supporter has continued to replaced them.

"I don't care if I have to buy 1,000 Trump flags. I will keep putting them up," he said. "I don't care if I have to hire a Marine to keep guard, I will keep putting them up."

Hornick told NJ.com that he reported the flag vandalism and thefts on five separate occasions; when police arrived at his West Long Beach home last month, he assumed they were responding to previous complaints.

But to Hornick’s surprise, the two officers informed him that the town prohibits the public display of political lawn signs more than 30 days leading up to an election. The New Jersey presidential primary isn’t until June 7.

Violators of the ordinance face fines of up to $2,000, 90 days in jail or both.

The unwelcome house call happened March 25, shortly after a resident who is a former Democratic councilman called police to report the violation.

After receiving the warning, Hornick was even more adamant about his flags, claiming that his right to display them is protected under the First Amendment.

“I’m not taking the flag down, and if I do 90 days in jail, I’ll do 90 days in jail,” he told the Associated Press.

Hornick told NJ.com that the Trump flags are not “lawn signs” but flags akin to those one might see on the lawns of sports fans.

"I'm not a football fan. I'm not a sports fan,” he explained. “One thing I have become is a Donald Trump fan.”

Hornick is scheduled to attend a municipal court hearing April 20.