What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

When reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, individuals express loyalty primarily to the flag. The flag symbolizes the nation and its values, reflecting the unity of the states and the ideals of freedom and justice that the United States stands for. By pledging allegiance to the flag, one is affirming their commitment to the principles of democracy and the collective identity of the American people.

This expression of loyalty emphasizes the importance of the flag as a national emblem, representing all citizens and the country as a whole. While the other options relate to aspects of national identity and governance—like the president, the Constitution, and the government—none encapsulate the communal pledge to the nation's values as directly as the flag does.