FBI's Baton Rouge Leader Omits 'Under God,' Sparks Criticism

FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeff Sallet pledged unity during a Baton Rouge press conference Monday afternoon, but he sparked some disunity when he left out part of the Pledge of Allegiance.

"At the core of American values is unity," Sallet said as he took his turn at the microphone to discuss the shooting deaths of three law enforcement officers a day earlier.

"As toddlers we learned the Pledge of Allegiance," he said. "I'm going to quote seven words from the pledge: One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Though the quote was accurate to the original pledge, the words "under God" have followed "one nation" since 1954.

Twitter immediately had something to say:

Correction: "one nation UNDER GOD with Liberty and justice for all." pic.twitter.com/ZpwxsbEDtk

— Fiona (@fiona_linsley) July 18, 2016

So the FBI Jeff Sallet talking in the press conf. sited 7 words of the pledge, But left out UNDER GOD.

— Brian Kidd (@Brian10Kidd) July 18, 2016

The FBI just omitted "under God" when quoting the Pledge of Allegiance. S

Hey Jeff Sallet, you missed the most important part of that bit of The Pledge...UNDER GOD.

— Trust In Tito ⚾️ (@cle_ItIsGone) July 18, 2016

ad.

 

— MaydnUSA (@MaydnUSA) July 18, 2016

to all FBI it's one nation, under God indivisible , not one nation indivisible how disgusting it is now to hear that left out today

— john hollandsworth (@jhrusher) July 18, 2016

When Gov. John Bel Edwards came to the microphone, he quoted the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi: "Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love."

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