Chairman Carr Announces Pledge America Campaign 
Urges Broadcasters to Air Patriotic, Pro-America Programming in Support of America’s 250th Birthday 
      
WASHINGTON, February 20, 2026—Today, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr established the Pledge America Campaign.

This year, we celebrate an historic milestone in our country’s history.  On July 4, 2026, we will mark 250 years of American independence.  In recognition, President Donald J. Trump established the Salute to America 250 Task Force (“Task Force 250”).  The White House notes:

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 is engaging and encouraging the entire federal government, state and local governments, the private sector, non-profit and educational institutions, and every citizen across this country to join in this historic celebration. 

Task Force 250 invites citizens to have a renewed love of American history, experience the beauty of our country, and ignite a spirit of adventure and innovation that will raise our nation to new heights over the next 250 years.
  
Chairman Carr is heeding this call by establishing the Pledge America Campaign in support of this historic initiative.  Consistent with their longstanding public interest obligations, America’s broadcasters play a key role in educating, informing, and entertaining viewers and listeners all across America, and they are particularly well suited to air programming that is responsive to the needs and interests of their local communities.  The Pledge America Campaign enables broadcasters to lend their voices in support of Task Force 250 and the celebration of America’s 250th birthday by airing patriotic, pro-America content that celebrates the American journey and inspires its citizens by highlighting the historic accomplishments of this great nation from our founding through the Trump Administration today.

Chairman Brendan Carr issued the following statement:

“On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  That revolutionary document set forth our founding principles—including Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness—and put America on a collision course with destiny.  Over the following centuries, the American story has defined modern history and spread freedom, opportunity, and prosperity across the globe.  As America’s 250th anniversary approaches, it is important to reflect on the ideals and events that have defined our past while keeping an eye towards our country’s bright future.   
  
“The White House is leading our national celebration of this historic event with the Salute to America 250 Task Force, which calls on the federal government, among others, to mark this momentous occasion.  As part of this effort, I am calling on broadcasters to pledge to provide programming that promotes civic education, national pride, and our shared history.

“This type of programming is more relevant than ever, as surveys show that civics education is in rapid decline.  And classic programming such as Schoolhouse Rock! is now only found in online archives.  Broadcasters are uniquely positioned to help address these concerning developments by providing programming that celebrates the remarkable story of American Independence while also tailoring it to the specific needs of their local communities, in furtherance of their public interest obligations.

“That is why I am inviting broadcasters to pledge to air programming in their local markets in support of this historic national, non-partisan celebration.  As an example, this could include:

· Running PSAs, short segments, or full specials specifically promoting civic education, inspiring local stories, and American history.
· Including segments during regular news programming that highlight local sites that are significant to American and regional history, such as National Park Service sites.
· Starting each broadcast day with the “Star Spangled Banner” or Pledge of Allegiance. 
· Airing music by America’s greatest composers, such as John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, or George Gershwin. 
· Providing daily “Today in American History” announcements highlighting significant events that took place on that day in history.
· Partnering with community organizations and other groups that are already working hard to bring America’s stories of unity, perseverance, and triumph to light. 
“I believe in the greatness of our country.  And I look forward to broadcasters showcasing its inspiring history by taking the Pledge and fulfilling their public interest mandate to serve the needs and interests of their local communities as America’s 250th birthday celebration marches on.”

Additional information:  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.

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Media Contact: MediaRelations@fcc.gov / (202) 418-0500
@FCC / www.fcc.gov