Sacramento City Councilwoman Mai Vang — who represents the city's 8th district — is running for Congress in California's recently redrawn 7th congressional district. And on Memorial Day weekend, we get a lovely reminder of what she thinks about the country she wants to govern: she physically turned her back on the American flag and refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Again.
Because nothing says "send me to Washington" like treating Old Glory like it owes you money.
This isn't a one-time thing, folks. According to Breitbart, Vang has refused the Pledge at Sacramento City Council meetings on Veterans Day last year, January 22, March 26, and July 1 of 2025. She even posted about it on Facebook in February 2025, explaining her little ritual. Her exact words? "This is exactly why I choose not to recite the Pledge of Allegiance during every council meeting. As much as I love this country, I use that moment to ground myself."
She uses the Pledge to "ground herself." The rest of us use it to honor the men and women who died so she could have a city council seat in the first place. But sure, Mai, take your little meditation moment while the rest of the room stands like adults.
David Cushman, chairman of the San Joaquin Republican Party, nailed it: "She's trying to be the AOC of the Central Valley." And honestly? That tracks. Vang is trying to replace outgoing Democratic Representative Doris Matsui in a June primary, and apparently the path to victory runs straight through performative flag-disrespect.
Even Democratic political consultant Steve Maviglio — a Sacramento-based operative, not exactly a MAGA guy — had to call this out. "It's 'Patriotism 101,' you say the Pledge of Allegiance even if you don't agree with everything," Maviglio said. When you've lost your own party's consultants on basic flag etiquette, you might want to reconsider your campaign strategy.
The redrawn 7th district now includes areas like Lodi, Placerville, and El Dorado Hills — communities that aren't exactly Berkeley. These are working people who fly flags on their porches and teach their kids to stand for the anthem. Good luck selling them on a candidate who can't face the Stars and Stripes.
Republican candidate Zachariah Wooden, a first-time candidate challenging for the seat, put it plainly: "A lot of her rhetoric is a rejection of our basic American values." California Republican Party Chair Corrin Rankin added: "Voters want leaders who respect the police and honor our flag."
Here's what kills me. This is Memorial Day weekend. Right now, families are visiting graves. Veterans are putting on their dress uniforms one more time. Gold Star mothers are holding folded flags that were draped over their children's caskets. And a woman who wants to represent those families in the United States Congress can't bring herself to face the flag.
She doesn't want to serve her country. She wants to serve herself, in her country's building, on her country's payroll, under a flag she can't even look at.
The 7th district deserves better. Actually, every district deserves better than that.