FCC's Gomez Pushes Back On Chair Call To 'Take the Pledge'

The FCC Chairman Brendan Carr last week launched the "Pledge America Campaign," urging U.S. broadcasters to voluntarily air more patriotic and pro-America programming as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.

Carr framed the initiative as alignment with the White House's Salute to America 250 Task Force. He encouraged stations to "pledge" commitment to content that promotes civic education, national pride, and shared history, highlighting "the historic accomplishments of this great nation from our founding through the Trump Administration today."

Suggested voluntary elements include:

• Starting each broadcast day with the Star-Spangled Banner or the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Airing daily "Today in American History" segments spotlighting significant events on that date.
• Featuring music by iconic American composers like John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, or George Gershwin.
• Incorporating PSAs, specials, or news inserts on civic education, local historical sites (e.g., National Park Service locations), and inspiring American stories.

Carr emphasized that the effort is non-mandatory and ties into broadcasters' existing public interest obligations to serve their communities. He expressed hope that stations would join by "taking the pledge" and fulfilling those duties—language that comes as several major broadcast groups await FCC approval on pending merger applications.

The campaign drew immediate pushback from the FCC's sole Democratic commissioner, Anna M. Gomez. She criticized it as potential government interference in media content.

In a post on X, Gomez stated: "Nothing is more American than defending our constitutional rights against those who would erode our civil liberties. If broadcasters choose to participate in this FCC campaign, they can do so by defending their First Amendment rights and refusing government interference.

"The initiative highlights ongoing partisan tensions at the FCC, where Republican leadership under Carr has emphasized content aligned with national celebration and public interest, while the Democratic minority warns against any perceived pressure on broadcasters' editorial independence ahead of the semiquincentennial milestone. Broadcasters face no new regulatory requirements but may weigh participation amid the regulatory environment.