Washington, Jul 5 (IANS): Two protesters were arrested outside the White House for "burning an American flag outside the limits of a permit that had been issued by the National Park Service", according to the US Secret Service.

The arrests took place on Thursday during Independence Day celebrations in the capital city, reports Xinhua news agency

One person was arrested for felony assault on a police officer and malicious burning, and the other was arrested for obstructing a police investigation and resisting arrest, said Secret Service officials.

A group of protesters linked arms after the flag burning and chanted "America was never great", a reference to President Donald Trump's 2016 presidential slogan "Make America Great Again".

The arrests occurred ahead of Trump's "Salute to America" speech at the Lincoln Memorial to celebrate the Independence Day, a federal holiday in the US commemorating the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.