What do we pledge loyalty to when saying the Pledge of Allegiance?

When reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, individuals pledge loyalty to the United States. The Pledge emphasizes allegiance to the nation itself, highlighting a commitment to the values and principles that the country stands for, including freedom and democracy. This act of allegiance instills a sense of national identity and unity among citizens.

The focus on the United States reflects the idea of political allegiance to the country, rather than to specific symbols like the flag, or to government institutions, such as the President or the Constitution. While the flag is mentioned in the Pledge as a representation and symbol of the nation, the pledge explicitly states loyalty to the nation as a whole. This distinction underlines the importance of citizenship and the collective identity that unites all Americans.