Rep. Harriet Hageman warns that a new Gallup finding showing record-low pride in America is a wake-up call, and she’s calling for a renewed focus on the nation’s founding and cultural identity as we approach the 250th Independence Day. Her message blames the left’s reinterpretation of history for much of the decline, and she lays out a hopeful path to restore pride by celebrating and defending American traditions. This piece captures her floor remarks, the polling snapshot, and the case for a patriotic revival from a conservative viewpoint.
Congresswoman Hageman took to the floor to highlight a stark polling result and make a blunt point about national mood. “In Gallup’s 25-year patriotism survey, just 17 percent, or less than 1 in 5 American adults, reported that they were ‘very proud’ of being an American,” Hageman said in a floor speech on Tuesday. That number is a clear signal that something is amiss in how Americans see their country.
She did not mince words about the cultural cause of the problem and used vivid language to make her case. “Our excitement for America has been dimmed by accusations of an unacceptable morality, our self-image tarnished by a novel self-flagellation,” she added. Republicans see this as the result of a relentless assault on the national story, not a simple shift in opinion.
Hageman’s planned speech for the coming week centers on protecting what she calls a distinct American cultural identity. She argues that traditions and shared values deserve defense, and she wants Americans to rediscover pride as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. That anniversary is being presented as an opportunity to remind people what unites them.
“We must stop pretending that America is just an idea, or that we have no shared culture worth fighting for,” Hageman wrote. That line gets to the heart of the Republican argument: patriotism requires more than abstract principles, it needs living customs and common purpose. The message is straightforward — culture matters and it should be celebrated rather than erased.
Her remarks also stress that welcoming newcomers does not require sacrificing the American story. “This does not mean that we reject other cultures or traditions. America has, in fact, been one of the most gracious countries in history to welcome people from across the globe to our shores. By inviting those who seek to make our country home, however, we are not obligated to subjugate our American history, culture and traditions for theirs. We instead welcome them here to partake in and succeed in the American way of life.”
The polling breakdown she cites is used to underline a partisan split in attitudes about national pride. Gallup’s 2025 findings record that only 36% of Democrats said they were “very proud” of the U.S., down from 62% the year before, while Republicans recorded much higher levels at 92 percent among respondents. Independents also slipped, with just 53% expressing a great deal of pride, a seven-point drop from a year prior.
Those numbers are alarming to conservatives because they suggest that the left’s narrative has affected even basic feelings about the nation. Hageman points directly at the Democratic Party’s role in reshaping how Americans view the founding era and the story of the republic. In her view, the decline in pride is not an accident but a consequence.
“My friends on the other side of the aisle have worked mightily to weaponize our history with slavery to indict our nation as irredeemable,” Hageman said. That accusation is central to the conservative critique: history should be taught honestly, but not wielded as a tool to collapse national pride. Republicans argue for a balanced reckoning that recognizes shameful chapters without throwing out the entire founding.
“Today, the left reveres 1619 as the year of America’s true founding. The year the first slaves were imported to America has become the defining moment for a new generation of cultural revolutionaries hellbent to tear our society apart.” Hageman frames this as an ideological shift that replaces civic pride with perpetual self-accusation. The rhetoric is sharp because the stakes are presented as existential for American identity.
Despite the critique, Hageman insists the trend can be reversed through education and celebration of the founding. “I hope that by focusing on America’s 250th anniversary – and looking back over that history with honesty and accuracy — we will reverse these declines,” Hageman said. She urges a return to a narrative that recognizes both flaws and achievements so citizens can again find reasons to be proud.
“I am, in fact, optimistic that those festivities we’ve already enjoyed are currently inspiring a new sense of purpose in our national identity. And I believe we are on the right track to making America proud again.” That optimism is consistent with the Republican call to defend American institutions and values, not discard them. For conservatives, restoring pride starts by teaching a fuller, patriotic history and recommitting to shared traditions.
Darnell Thompkins is a Canadian-born American and conservative opinion writer who brings a unique perspective to political and cultural discussions. Passionate about traditional values and individual freedoms, Darnell’s commentary reflects his commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue. When he’s not writing, he enjoys watching hockey and celebrating the sport that connects his Canadian roots with his American journey.