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

The Pledge of Allegiance expresses loyalty primarily to the flag, which is a symbol of the nation. When individuals recite the Pledge, they are affirming their allegiance to the ideals and values represented by the flag of the United States. The flag serves as a physical representation of the country, embodying the shared principles of freedom, democracy, and unity.

While the Pledge does symbolize allegiance to the United States as a whole, the direct reference in the Pledge is to the flag itself, making it a more immediate object of loyalty in the context of the recitation. Other options, such as the Constitution or the President, represent important aspects of American governance and ideals but are not explicitly mentioned in the Pledge, focusing instead on the flag as the central symbol of national loyalty.