Trump: Democrats Removed ‘Under God’ From Pledge of Allegiance ‘On Purpose’

Trump: Democrats Removed ‘Under God’ From Pledge of Allegiance ‘On Purpose’
President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., on Aug. 15. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo)
Zachary Stieber
8/22/2020
Updated:
8/26/2020

President Donald Trump on Saturday accused Democrats of removing the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance during the Democratic National Convention willfully.

“At first I thought they made a mistake, but it wasn’t. It was done on purpose,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

“Remember Evangelical Christians, and ALL, this is where they are coming from—it’s done. Vote Nov 3!” he added.

At least two caucuses omitted the words “under God” during the convention, which took place across four days this week. People reading the pledge before the Muslim Delegates and Allies Assembly and LGBT Caucus meetings left them out.

The 2020 Democratic National Convention Committee didn’t respond to requests for comment.

While the words were left out during the pledge at least twice, Democrats included them while reading the pledge during the primetime hours each night.

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said the omission meant that Christianity is “under siege from Democrats.”

A third caucus reading included “under God,” but added a word.

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” the speaker said, before adding, “someday.”

Congress in 1954 passed a statute that added the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. Then-President Dwight Eisenhower, a Republican, signed the statute into law.

Allen Zhong contributed to this report.