STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT
ON THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE DECISION:

“Today’s ruling ensures that school children in every corner of America can start their day by voluntarily reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. For centuries, America has referenced God as we have expressed our patriotism and national identity in the National Motto (“In God we trust”), the National Anthem, the Declaration of Independence, and in speeches like the Gettysburg Address. An unbroken line of court precedents had approved these common-sense acknowledgments of the role of religion in our founding, history and character, until the Ninth Circuit struck down the Pledge. The Justice Department worked hard to protect the Pledge, and we are pleased that the Supreme Court reversed the Ninth Circuit’s holding that the Pledge violates the Constitution.”

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