⁍ Satirical article was first published on satirical website Bustatroll.org.

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⁍ However, reactions from social media users suggest many are not aware it was intended as satire.

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⁍ ‘Anyone found guilty of reciting the Pledge will be charged with grand heresy, and punished by up to 10 years in a federal penitentiary and a fine of no less than $20,000

– “Anyone found guilty of reciting the Pledge will be charged with grand heresy, and punished by up to 10 years in a federal penitentiary and a fine of no less than $20,000.” That’s just one line from a satirical article that has gone viral on social media, reports Reuters. The article, which first appeared on the website Bustatroll, claims that Democrats added the Pledge of Allegiance to an emergency aid package as part of an effort to “slip a law” banning the pledge into future legislation. “The passing of this legislative package will also outlaw the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance in all schools in the United States,” the article reads. “Anyone found guilty of reciting the Pledge will be charged with grand heresy, and punished by up to 10 years in a federal penitentiary and a fine of no less than $20,000.” The article has been shared thousands of times since it first appeared, and many people seem to be taken aback by the satirical nature of it. “These people shouldn’t even be inoffice they are so anti American,” reads one comment on the article. “What the heck???!!! Traitors to all Americans!”