FCC asks stations for 'pro-America' programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance

Source: Hacker News

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr today urged broadcasters to join a “Pledge America Campaign” that Carr established to support President Trump’s “Salute to America 250” project.

Carr said in a press release that “I am inviting broadcasters to pledge to air programming in their local markets in support of this historic national, non-partisan celebration.” The release noted that Carr is asking broadcasters to “air patriotic, pro‑America programming in support of America’s 250th birthday.”

Carr gave examples of content that broadcasters can run if they take the pledge, including:

• Starting each broadcast day with the “Star Spangled Banner” or Pledge of Allegiance.
• Airing PSAs, short segments, or full specials that promote civic education, inspiring local stories, and American history.
• Running segments during regular news programming that highlight local sites significant to American and regional history, such as National Park Service sites.
• Airing music by America’s greatest composers, such as John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, and George Gershwin.
• Providing daily “Today in American History” announcements that highlight significant events from U.S. history.

Carr wants this programming to start now and continue at least through July 4. His press release touts Trump’s Salute to America 250 project and quotes a White House statement that said, “Under the President’s leadership, Task Force 250 has commenced the planning of a full year of festivities to officially launch on Memorial Day, 2025 and continue through July 4, 2026.”

The White House quote cited by the FCC is nearly a year old, as indicated by the reference to Memorial Day 2025. More recently, Trump has said he wants the celebration to last throughout 2026. A Trump proclamation last month declared a “year‑long commemoration” of American independence that began on January 1, 2026 (source).

“Voluntary” pledge

Today’s FCC press release said, “Broadcasters can voluntarily choose to indicate their commitment to the Pledge America Campaign and highlight their ongoing and relevant programming to their viewing and listening audiences.” Although described as voluntary, Carr said broadcasters can meet their public‑interest obligations by taking the pledge. This is notable because Carr has repeatedly threatened to punish broadcast stations for violating the public‑interest standard.