OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
A Miami Democrat could not recite the Pledge of Allegiance when she was called on to lead it during her first public meeting this week, according to a report. During a March 9 meeting, Sabina Covo, who won the special election for Miami City District 2 commissioner on Feb. 27, experienced a moment of blankness when she was asked to recite the pledge.
“And now, Commissioner Covo, will you lead us in the pledge of allegiance, please?” she was asked, according to a video posted online.
“You don’t know it? OK,” the commission’s chairwoman is heard whispering to Covo, Fox News reported.
Following a brief pause, the attendees and the commission’s chairwoman stepped in to assist Covo by reciting the pledge instead.
After the video gained traction on social media, Covo released a statement indicating that she was feeling nervous during the incident.
“When you feel a responsibility is that important, nervousness is very normal, and I’m not afraid to admit that I was,” she wrote. “The oath and pledge I took to our nation and to the residents of District 2 is clear and I am focused on honoring my promise to get things done for our community.”
“Which is why I am not focused on Twitter Talk – but rather on passing two very important pieces of legislation during my first commission meeting, including one that will provide affordable housing to foster youth,” she added. “That’s leading through the very words in our Pledge of Allegiance and our promise to lead with ethics and integrity.”
WATCH:
Just when you thought you’ve seen it all…
Florida Democrat Sabina Covo doesn’t know the Pledge of Allegiance.
Alarming.
pic.twitter.com/v24pEbAO7H— Florida GOP (@FloridaGOP) March 10, 2023
Nevertheless, Florida’s Republican Party responded to Covo’s faux pas.
“Just when you thought you’ve seen it all… Florida Democrat Sabina Covo doesn’t know the Pledge of Allegiance,” the state GOP account wrote. “Alarming.”
According to Florida Politics, Covo, 43, who was born in Medellin, Colombia, secured victory in the election with 1,861 ballots, accounting for 30 percent of the total votes, Fox News reported. Prior to her political career, Covo worked in television reporting and journalism for many years.
The newly elected commissioner was previously employed as the director of Hispanic media relations at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under Nikki Fried, who endorsed Covo’s campaign after losing her own bid for governor in the Democratic primary, Fox News noted.
Last month, a House Judiciary Committee meeting got off to a fiery start after Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York did not want the hearing to begin with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) introduced an amendment to begin each meeting with the pledge, but Nadler was in opposition. The GOP rep said the rule would give members “the ability to invite inspirational constituents” to lead with the pledge.
“I would oppose it simply on the grounds that, as members know, we pledge allegiance every day on the floor and I don’t know why we should pledge allegiance twice in the same day, to show how patriotic we are,” Nadler said.
Another Democrat lawmaker, David Cicilline of Rhode Island, introduced an amendment to the rule stating said the pledge could not be led by anyone who supported the January 6, 2021 incident at the Capitol.
“This pledge is a validation of your defense of democracy and the constitution,” he said. “It’s hard to take that claim seriously when, in fact, a person in some way supported an anti-government insurgency.”
“I’m talking about elected officials who swear an oath to the United States Constitution, who in some way participated in, supported, facilitated, and encouraged the insurgency against the United States,” he said. “That’s not too hard a standard.”
“I know it’s a real backbreaker,” argued Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.). “We can [go] that little extra mile, stand up, put our hand on our chest, say what we believe, and affirm this America we love. Come on. This cannot be true. I can’t believe we’re having this debate.”
After the hearing, Gaetz addressed the back-and-forth.
“Standing for the American flag isn’t controversial. Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance isn’t a waste of time. Democrats are so outraged at the idea of a daily dose of patriotism that they spent 30 minutes ranting and raving in opposition. Congress cannot expect the American people to believe they are fighting for their values when they don’t even care to recite the Pledge of Allegiance,” he told the Daily Caller.
