Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr is urging broadcasters to participate in a 'Pledge America Campaign' supporting President Trump's 'Salute to America 250' project. Carr invited stations to air patriotic programming celebrating America's 250th birthday, suggesting content like the Pledge of Allegiance, patriotic music, and historical segments.

While described as voluntary, Carr's initiative ties into broadcasters' public interest obligations, which he has previously used to threaten stations over content he deems inappropriate. The campaign is set to run from Memorial Day 2025 through July 4, 2026, though Trump recently indicated he wants celebrations to continue throughout 2026.

Carr's examples include daily broadcasts of the 'Star Spangled Banner,' segments on American composers like John Philip Sousa and Duke Ellington, and 'Today in American History' announcements. Consumer advocacy groups question whether this truly voluntary request represents government overreach into programming decisions, particularly given Carr's history of using regulatory power to influence broadcast content.