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

The Pledge of Allegiance expresses loyalty to the United States as a whole. When reciting the pledge, individuals are affirming their commitment to the nation and its ideals, which encompass a shared sense of identity, community, and values. This includes notions of freedom, democracy, and justice that the U.S. stands for.

While the flag often symbolizes the nation and can be seen as an emblem of that loyalty, the pledge explicitly contextualizes that loyalty as being to the United States itself, allowing for a broader interpretation that includes the people, the government, and the fundamental principles upon which the country is built. The President and the Constitution are important components of the nation, but the pledge specifically identifies loyalty to the United States as the ultimate allegiance.