Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang has drawn criticism for declining to recite the Pledge of Allegiance during city council meetings, a stance she explained in a 2025 Facebook post. Video clips show Vang turning aside or remaining silent while others recited the pledge, including an instance as recently as Wednesday when she was seen with eyes downcast during the recitation.

Vang has served on the Sacramento City Council since 2020. In her 2025 Facebook post, she wrote, "[T]his 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—to center our communities and remind myself of the injustices and harm that continue to affect so many, both locally and across the globe, under this nation’s influence." She added, "We must not tune out—they want us to become numb to the realities we see in the news—it’s part of the plan to keep us complacent. But instead, we resist. We surround ourselves with loved ones, take time to rest, remain vigilant, and stay steadfast in the fight for equity, justice & humanity. We got us. I love you all."

Vang is a candidate for California’s 7th Congressional District and is among several contenders challenging Democratic Representative Doris Matsui in the primary election scheduled for June 2.

Draft Democratic political consultant Steve Maviglio criticized Vang’s stance, calling it "completely disrespectful." He added, "It’s ‘Patriotism 101,’ you say the Pledge of Allegiance even if you don’t agree with everything. You can’t say the Pledge of Allegiance—that’s how extreme you are? Come on."

Vang has advocated for policies including universal healthcare, increased taxes on billionaires, and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).