On January 3, Vice President Kamala Harris faced backlash after evidently fumbling the Pledge of Allegiance during the Senate's swearing-in ceremony for newly elected senators. The event, which marked the opening of the 119th Congress, turned contentious when Harris mistakenly began the pledge by stating, "I pledge allegiance to the United --," before trailing off and catching herself only partway through.
The moment was captured on video and quickly went viral, leading to swift condemnation from conservative lawmakers and commentators. Critics jumped on the slip, deriding it as fitting her track record of public speaking gaffes and poor composure. Advocates for the GOP were vocal, with Congressman Dan Crenshaw of Texas sarcastically commenting on social media about the sham of her recitation, jokingly attributing it to Harris’s apparent lack of party pride. "The VP forgets the pledge, of course," Crenshaw tweeted.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters added fuel to the fire, asserting, "Kamala Harris not knowing the Pledge of Allegiance says everything about the last four years." The social media uproar followed suit, with numerous users lamenting how someone who aspired to lead the country could stumble on such a fundamental part of American patriotism. One post read, "HOLY SH!T Kamala Harris doesn’t know the Pledge Of Allegiance; this might be her most embarrassing moment yet."
Harris, who is also serving as President of the Senate, opened the ceremony inviting the senators to pledge allegiance, but her breakdown caused members of the chamber to complete the recitation. Critics seized upon this lapse with humorous jabs online, questioning not only her grasp of traditional patriotic pledges but also her fitness for public office. Memes spread across platforms like X, with one particularly biting comment stating, "Kamala Harris not knowing all the words to the Pledge of Allegiance is her political career in a nutshell." Others expressed shock and disbelief, making it clear they viewed the slip as emblematic of Harris’s wider perceived failings.
Despite the jest, the severity of the attack on Harris speaks to the politically charged environment surrounding her. Since entering office, she has faced heavy scrutiny over her public speaking abilities—a topic often highlighted during her unsuccessful presidential campaign. Critics have likened her speech patterns to "word salad," pointing to occasions when her rhetoric appears convoluted or unclear. Many school children know the Pledge of Allegiance by heart, and when the Vice President falters, it raises eyebrows and questions.
Even as lawmakers and social media users ridiculed the vice president, some supporters defended her, claiming it was simply a momentary lapse. "We all have them," commented one user, hoping to chalk it up to nerves or distractions. Harris’s brief slip during the Senate proceedings stands against the backdrop of her more significant challenges as vice president. The incident also plays back on the animosity surrounding the things she has vocalized throughout her public life to date.
Those conducting conservative critiques of Harris are equally energized, using the pledge incident as part of their broader narrative questioning her competency and effectiveness. Social media commentary ramped up significantly post-incident, combining humor and disdain, especially from pro-Trump factions. Ardent supporters of her opponents emphasized the slip as reflective of the vice president’s abilities—and potential shortcomings—in political office.
Add to this the fact Harris lost her bid for the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump, with him taking home the popular and Electoral College votes, fueling critics who are already skeptical of her role. Harris has remained Vice President for the time being, and the spotlight for the moment remains intense on her public capability.
Nevertheless, many argue the incident shouldn’t eclipse Harris’s other contributions or the historic diversity she brought to the office of vice president. Whatever reactions ensued following the mishap, the moment serves as one more addition to the legacy and history of the Harris presidency, likely fueling political discussions leading up to the next electoral season.
The response from the White House to the criticisms was muted, indicating potential strategic avoidance of inflaming tensions as criticisms aligned with the broader partisan huddle forming against Harris. The nuances of representation will likely continue to weigh heavily on the Vice President’s path as these and similar incidents define her tenure. For now, Harris will continue presiding over Senate activities until the new administration assumes responsibilities following the ceremonial handover on January 20. The pledge incident serves as another reminder of the scrutiny public figures undergo and the readiness of critics to jump at such occasions.