What reasoning did the supreme court give for its decision on whether burning an american flag is a form of speech protected by the constitution?

ISSUE Whether flag burning constitutes "symbolic speech" protected by the First Amendment. RULING Yes. REASONING (5-4) The majority of the Court, according to Justice William Brennan, agreed with Johnson and held that flag burning constitutes a form of "symbolic speech" that is protected by the First Amendment.

Explanation:

Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989), was a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that invalidated prohibitions on desecrating the American flag enforced in 48 of the 50 states.