A Florida Republican senator has introduced legislation targeting the Washington, D.C. public school system, seeking to mandate the display of American flags and the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The proposed bill, dubbed the PLEDGE Act, was introduced by Sen. Ashley Moody in an effort to prioritize patriotism in the nation's capital.
According to a press release shared with Fox News Digital, the bill's proponents claim that some schools in Washington, D.C. do not display the American flag or provide opportunities for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. "Currently, there are schools in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, that do not display our flag or set aside time for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, but they do teach them to be activists," the release states. The senator's office further asserted that in a city where progressive causes are often prominently displayed, patriotic symbols have been sidelined, raising concerns about civic values education.
Sen. Moody stated in a release, "My PLEDGE Act helps restore pride in our nation by reminding students every day of the freedom, responsibilities, and blessings that come with being an American, and the sacrifices made for our flag and everything it represents." Over 40 states have varying requirements for Pledge of Allegiance recitations in their schools, but the nation's capital currently does not.
The bill's introduction comes amid a mayoral race in D.C. and a broader national trend where certain progressive movements, including the Democratic Socialist of America (DSA), have gained traction. The DSA platform advocates for significant constitutional changes and has been described by some as promoting anti-American rhetoric. Data from a June 2025 Gallup poll indicates a decline in national pride among younger generations, with only 41% of Generation Z expressing strong pride in being American, compared to 58% of U.S. adults overall, the lowest recorded level since 2001.
Notes on the D.C. Public School (DCPS) curriculum suggest a focus on progressive politics, including lessons on figures like Harvey Milk and the influence of the LGBTQ+ community. Fifth-grade social studies standards, for instance, reportedly require students to analyze the rise of queer culture during the Black Renaissance and compare the experiences of LGBTQ+ service members returning from World War II. In contrast, during the Trump administration, patriotic symbols were emphasized in the capital, with the installation of American flags on the White House grounds and the removal of a "Black Lives Matter" mural.
Fox News Digital has reached out to DCPS for comment on the proposed legislation.