Mai Vang, a candidate for California’s 7th Congressional District and current Sacramento City Councilmember, is under scrutiny following the reappearance of videos showing her refusal to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. During Memorial Day weekend, various clips surfaced depicting Vang remaining silent or turning away during council meetings while others recited the pledge. As recently as Wednesday, she was seen with her eyes averted during the recitation.
Vang has been serving on the Sacramento City Council since 2020. She addressed her decision to refrain from saying the pledge in a 2025 Facebook post. In her post, she explained, “This is exactly why I choose not to recite the Pledge of Allegiance during every council meeting. As much as I love this country, I use that moment to ground myself—to center our communities and remind myself of the injustices and harm that continue to affect so many, both locally and across the globe, under this nation’s influence.”
She further commented, “We must not tune out—they want us to become numb to the realities we see in the news—it’s part of the plan to keep us complacent. But instead, we resist. We surround ourselves with loved ones, take time to rest, remain vigilant, and stay steadfast in the fight for equity, justice & humanity. We got us. I love you all.”
Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang listens to a speaker during a rally against ICE arrests and deportations in front of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services building in downtown Sacramento. (Getty Images)
Fox News Digital reached out to Vang for comment. The videos have prompted reactions from various political figures. Sacramento Democratic political consultant Steve Maviglio remarked, “It’s ‘Patriotism 101,’ you say the Pledge of Allegiance even if you don’t agree with everything. You can’t say the Pledge of Allegiance—that’s how extreme you are? Come on.”
Currently, Vang is among several candidates aiming to challenge Rep. Doris Matsui, who has represented the California seat for over two decades. Vang’s platform includes progressive stances, such as advocating for universal healthcare, raising taxes on billionaires, and abolishing ICE. The primary election is scheduled for June 2.
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