Vice President Kamala Harris sparked online backlash after an apparent misstep while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance during the swearing-in ceremony for the 119th Congress on January 3, 2025. Presiding over the Senate as part of her constitutional duties, Harris omitted a key phrase, beginning with, “I pledge allegiance to the United States of America,” leaving out the words “to the flag.”
Kamala Harris messes up the pledge of allegiance on the Senate floor ?
pic.twitter.com/6IF9m9ijli— Joey Salads (@JoeySalads) January 3, 2025
The mistake quickly caught the attention of social media, where critics and commentators wasted no time in pointing it out. Donald Trump Jr. shared the clip, accompanied by laughing emojis and remarks about Harris’s public gaffe. “We dodged a bullet,” one user quipped, referring to Harris’s unsuccessful bid for the presidency.
A Moment of National Scrutiny
The Pledge of Allegiance, a long-standing symbol of American patriotism, reads in full: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” The omission of “to the flag” during a highly publicized ceremony was seen by some as a surprising lapse for a seasoned public official.
Harris’s role as Vice President includes presiding over Senate sessions and leading ceremonial duties such as swearing in newly elected senators. As the first woman to hold the vice presidency, her actions are often under heightened scrutiny, particularly in formal settings like this.
Political Fallout
The flub has reignited debates about the public perception of Harris’s readiness for leadership, with critics highlighting the incident as emblematic of broader concerns. Supporters, however, dismissed the criticism as overblown, pointing out that public figures occasionally make verbal missteps during high-pressure moments.
Despite the backlash, Harris moved forward with the ceremony without addressing the error, maintaining composure as she carried out her Senate duties.
A Broader Context
This latest gaffe is not the first time Harris has faced intense scrutiny for her public speaking or symbolic gestures. However, it underscores the broader challenges public officials face in an age of constant media monitoring and immediate online reactions.
As the 119th Congress begins its work, this moment serves as a reminder of the public’s heightened attention to symbolic acts and the significant expectations placed on national leaders. Whether this will have any lasting impact on Harris’s public image remains to be seen, but for now, the incident has added fuel to an already polarized political discourse.