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Florida Republican Senator Ashley Moody has unveiled proposed legislation aimed at reshaping how patriotic values are taught in Washington, D.C.’s public school system. The PLEDGE Act would mandate that teachers display the American flag in classrooms and provide students with daily opportunities to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, according to details shared with Fox News Digital.
Moody’s proposal targets what she characterizes as a troubling absence of patriotic symbols in the nation’s capital. “Currently, there are schools in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, that do not display our flag or set aside time for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, but they do teach them to be activists,” states the bill’s press release. The senator argues that schools should prioritize teaching students to appreciate American values rather than instilling shame about the country.
The bill addresses a geographic gap in national education standards. More than 40 states have varying requirements for the Pledge of Allegiance in schools, yet the nation’s capital currently has no such mandate. Moody contends her legislation would restore civic pride by reminding students of the freedoms, responsibilities, and sacrifices associated with American citizenship.
DC Public Schools currently emphasizes progressive curriculum components, including instruction on figures like Harvey Milk and the role of the LGBTQ+ community in shaping Washington. Fifth-grade social studies standards require analysis of queer culture during the Harlem Renaissance and comparison of LGBTQ+ service members’ post-World War II experiences, according to the district’s 2023 standards.
The proposal emerges during a pivotal mayoral race in Washington, where socialist candidate Janeese Lewis George leads the field. Critics point to declining national pride among younger Americans, with a June 2025 Gallup poll showing only 41 percent of Generation Z expressing strong or extreme pride in being American, compared to 58 percent of all U.S. adults overall.
Under President Donald Trump’s second term, federal authorities have undertaken efforts to restore patriotic imagery throughout the capital. The administration installed two large American flags on White House grounds and removed a “Black Lives Matter” street mural from a plaza near the executive residence. DC Public Schools has not yet responded to requests for comment.
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