A co-host of “The View” does not believe the Pledge of Allegiance applies to a lot of Americans.
During the show on Thursday, Sunny Hostin reacted to an amendment put forth by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to begin meetings by reciting the pledge.
Hostin took issue with what is known as American exceptionalism.
She explained, “The actual Pledge of Allegiance doesn’t apply to a lot of our citizens. It hasn’t met the dream of being exceptional. It hasn’t met — this country — it hasn’t met the dream of being this beacon on the hill.”
Hostin continued, “Until we really meet the promise of what this country could truly be, then we shouldn’t be touting us out as exceptionalist.”
Watch Hostin’s comments below:
The View's take on reciting the Pledge of Allegiance:
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 2, 2023
"This country hasn't met this dream of being a beacon on a hill."
READ: https://t.co/59MIk8fraX pic.twitter.com/NFVL65GCCZ
Hostin is not the only one to take issue with the matter.
A House Judiciary Committee meeting on the issue became heated Wednesday after it was suggested the pledge should not be led by an individual who supported the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, IJR reported.
Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) said during the meeting, “This pledge is an affirmation of your defense of democracy and the Constitution.”
He continued, “It’s hard to take that claim seriously if in fact, an individual in any way supported an insurrection against the government.”
Gaetz responded to Cicilline, explaining, “My concern would be if your definition of an insurrection is objecting to electors, then there would be many Democrats on the committee that would not be eligible to lead the pledge.”
He later added, “I’m concerned that you may be disqualifying too many of your own members.”
Cicilline went on to explain, “I’m talking about elected officials who swear an oath to the Constitution of the United States, who in any way participated, supported, facilitated, encouraged the insurrection against the United States.”
He suggested it is “not too hard a standard.”