What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

When reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, individuals express loyalty to the United States as a whole. The Pledge emphasizes unity and allegiance to the nation, symbolizing the collective identity and shared values among its citizens. By focusing on the country, the Pledge encapsulates the ideals of liberty and justice for all, transcending individual leaders, branches of government, or documents. This collective commitment to the United States reflects a sense of patriotism and belonging, which is central to the civic duty of citizens. The other options, while significant in their own contexts, do not capture the broader and unifying significance expressed through the Pledge.