Congressional Hopeful Turns Back on U.S. Flag, Draws Backlash
California congressional candidate Mai Vang is facing criticism over her repeated refusal to say the Pledge of Allegiance at public meetings and ceremonies, including instances in which she turned her back to the American flag.
California congressional candidate Mai Vang is facing criticism over her repeated refusal to say the Pledge of Allegiance at public meetings and ceremonies, including instances in which she turned her back to the American flag.
Vang, a Sacramento city councilmember, is running in the June primary against longtime Democratic Rep. Doris Matsui in California’s redrawn 7th Congressional District. Polling has shown Vang running close to Matsui and slightly ahead of Republican Zachariah Wooden.
The issue has drawn attention as the district now includes more conservative areas such as Lodi, Placerville and El Dorado Hills, alongside parts of Sacramento and Elk Grove. Critics say Vang’s stance could be a liability in a more politically mixed district.
David Cushman, chair of the San Joaquin Republican Party, said Vang’s approach is poorly suited to the district.
“She’s trying to be the AOC of the Central Valley, but this is not the same district as AOC’s or even Nancy Pelosi’s district,” Cushman said.
Vang, the daughter of Hmong refugees, has refused to participate in the pledge on several public occasions, including a Veterans Day ceremony last year, district meetings in January and March, and a Sacramento City Council meeting in July 2025.
Steve Maviglio, a Democratic political consultant in Sacramento, called her conduct “completely disrespectful to veterans and their families.”
“It’s ‘Patriotism 101,’ you say the Pledge of Allegiance even if you don’t agree with everything,” Maviglio said.
Vang did not respond to a request for comment.
In a social media post last year, Vang defended her refusal to recite the pledge, saying she used the moment to reflect on injustice in the United States and abroad.
“As much as I love this country, I use that moment to ground myself,” she wrote, adding hashtags including “Free Palestine” and “Keep Families Together.”
Her critics argue the stance will make it harder for her to win over moderate and conservative voters in the newly drawn district, especially as she seeks to unseat an established Democratic incumbent.