Congressional Candidate Turns Her Back on the American Flag

Mai Vang is a Sacramento City Councilwoman, and a California congressional candidate for California’s 7th Congressional District. Mai Vang also refuses to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and turns her back on the U.S. flag during public meetings.

Don’t be a Mai Vang.

This is particularly egregious as we observe this Memorial Day weekend. My son is a Naval officer who has seen combat. My father was a Naval officer. My brother was in the Air Force. I have friends who are and were police officers. A friend’s son is a SacPD officer. All of them gave or continue to give of themselves to the city, state and country in which they reside. They deserve our respect, not elected officials who openly detest them.

Mai Vang is also besties with Sheng Thao – yes, that Sheng Thao – the recalled Oakland Mayor indicted by a grand jury on federal bribery charges – and describes them as “Sisters.” #HmongSistersRising to be specific.

All of this may seem trivial to some. But think about members of Congress recently, who have been accused of consorting with members of China’s CCP, potentially selling U.S. intel. Congressional members who claimed no knowledge of staff who were Chinese spies. Do you really trust that Mai Vang will uphold her oath of office in Congress as she turns her back on the flag, while boasting about it?

Mai Vang’s family was welcomed by the United States as Hmong immigrants seeking to escape communism from Vietnam. “This country opened its doors to them, it did not turn its back on them, which is why it’s disappointing to see her repeatedly turn her back on the American flag during the Pledge of Allegiance,” a friend told me. “Yes, she has a First Amendment right not to participate. I fully understand that. But voters also have the right to expect elected leaders to show at least a basic level of respect for the country they represent. Standing straight, facing the flag, and pausing for a moment of national unity doesn’t seem like too much to ask.”

I have a friend, also from Vietnam, who is appalled at Vang’s politics, and frequently asks how someone whose family fled Communist Vietnam could espouse such communistic ideologies.

Most voters want representatives who at the very least appreciate the freedoms and sacrifices that made this country what it is. If someone refuses to pledge allegiance to the United States, it’s fair for the public to ask: where does her allegiance lie?

This video shows several city council meetings where Mai Vang refuses to cite the Pledge of Allegiance or place her hand over her heart and face the flag:

My Movie 73

In a Facebook post in 2025, Vang makes her sentiments clear:

And this is exactly why I choose not to recite the Pledge of Allegiance during every council meeting. As much as I love this country, I use that moment to ground myself – to center our communities and remind myself of the injustices and harm that continue to affect so many, both locally and across the globe, under this nation’s influence. We must not tune out – they want us to become numb to the realities we see in the news – it’s part of the plan to keep us complacent. But instead, we resist. We surround ourselves with loved ones, take time to rest, remain vigilant, and stay steadfast in the fight for equity, justice & humanity. We got us. I love you all .

What “injustices and harm that continue to affect so many, both locally and across the globe, under this nation’s influence” has Vang suffered as an American?

Vang is attempting to unseat our longtime congressional Representative Doris Matsui (D), who as a Japanese American, was born in an internment camp during World War II. Matsui has held office since 2005, when her husband, then-Rep. Bob Matsui passed away. She was elected in a special election to fill his seat.

While my neighborhood within the City of Sacramento is a Democrat stronghold, the rest of CD 7 is not. CD 7 was recently redrawn and added in more conservative pockets like Lodi, Placerville and El Dorado Hills to a electoral map that already included parts of Sacramento and Elk Grove, the CA Post correctly noted.

In a few days we will vote for our local representatives, state representatives and for our representation in Congress. As Mai Vang campaigns with David Hogg, know that Mai Vang is not worthy of representing any Americans in the U.S. Congress, much less serving on the Sacramento City Council.