Arkansas Declares June 2026 Fidelity Month; Sanders Office Asked for Clarification

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has officially declared June 2026 as “Fidelity Month” in the state. The gubernatorial proclamation, dated May 27, 2026, bears the governor’s signature and the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas. This designation marks the first time a U.S. state has formally established such a month, according to reports from Religion Unplugged and other outlets. The official text was published on the Arkansas Governor’s Office website, confirming the administrative action.

The proclamation urges residents to reaffirm their dedication to God, family, community, and country. Sanders stated that cultivating fidelity to these pillars contributes to human flourishing and supports a healthy, stable, and well-ordered society. Newsweek reported that the initiative encourages Arkansans to reflect on these core values. The language emphasizes that the United States was founded on faith, freedom, patriotism, and references to God in foundational documents.

Media coverage highlights the timing of the declaration, noting it coincides with Pride Month. The New Republic characterized the move as a “snub to Pride,” framing it within broader Republican opposition to LGBTQ+ observances. The Independent reported that Sanders emphasized fidelity to God, family, community, and country as essential for a stable society. Several outlets describe the proclamation as positioning these traditional values as an alternative to contemporary cultural celebrations.

The political antecedent for this state-level recognition includes a 2025 resolution by U.S. Sen. Mike Lee to declare June as “Fidelity Month” nationally. Reports indicate that Arkansas’ action is connected to a broader grassroots and political campaign to recognize the month across the country. 40/29 News has asked Sanders’ office for clarification regarding the proclamation, but no response was included in the provided search results. The governor’s verified Instagram account also confirmed the official proclamation.

What is confirmed

Confirmed Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued an official gubernatorial proclamation declaring June 2026 as “Fidelity Month” in the state of Arkansas.[1]
Confirmed The proclamation declaring June 2026 as Fidelity Month is dated May 27, 2026, and bears the signature of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas.[1]
Confirmed The official Arkansas Governor’s Office website has published the proclamation text stating that June 2026 is designated as “Fidelity Month.”[1]
Confirmed An official social media post from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ verified Instagram account states that she has officially proclaimed June 2026 as “Fidelity Month” in Arkansas.[3]
Confirmed Newsweek reported, citing the Arkansas gubernatorial proclamation, that on May 27 Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a proclamation establishing June 2026 as Fidelity Month.[2]
Confirmed Newsweek describes the initiative as a state effort encouraging Arkansans to reaffirm their dedication to God, family, community, and country.[2]
Confirmed The Independent reports that Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders recognized June as “Fidelity Month,” emphasizing fidelity to God, family, community, and country as contributing to a stable society.[6]
Confirmed Religion Unplugged reports that Arkansas became the first state to officially designate June as “Fidelity Month” through a declaration by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.[4]
Reported Several news outlets, including Newsweek, The New Republic, and The Independent, report that the designation of June as “Fidelity Month” in Arkansas is positioned as an alternative or challenge to Pride Month celebrations.[2][5][6]
Reported The New Republic characterizes the Arkansas “Fidelity Month” proclamation as a “snub to Pride,” framing the move as part of broader Republican opposition to LGBTQ+ Pride observances.[5][7]
Reported News coverage reports that the proclamation’s language stresses that the United States was founded on faith, freedom, patriotism, and references to God in foundational documents, attributing this framing to Governor Sanders’ office.[2][5]
Reported Media reports describe the proclamation’s stated goals as promoting fidelity to God, community, and country and uplifting spiritual and civic institutions as central to Arkansas’ identity.[2][5][6]
Reported Religion Unplugged and EWTN-related coverage report that Arkansas’ action is connected to a broader grassroots and political campaign to recognize June nationally as “Fidelity Month.”[4][11]

Timeline

2025-01-01 — U.S. Sen. Mike Lee issued a 2025 resolution to declare June as “Fidelity Month,” which later became a cited political antecedent for state-level recognitions in 2026.[6]
2026-05-27 — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a proclamation declaring June 2026 as “Fidelity Month” in Arkansas, according to the state governor’s office.[1]
2026-05-29 — Arkansas media reported Sanders’ proclamation, with coverage saying the declaration framed fidelity to God, family, community, and country as central values and that the month begins alongside Pride Month.[3][10]
2026-05-29 — A 40/29 News video report said Sanders had proclaimed June 2026 as Fidelity Month in Arkansas and that the proclamation emphasized faith, liberty, patriotism, and reflection on those values.[3]
2026-06-03 — News coverage noted that Arkansas was the first state to officially make the Fidelity Month designation, describing Sanders’ May 29 proclamation as part of a broader grassroots push.[6]
2026-06-04 — 40/29 News asked Sanders’ office for clarification about the Fidelity Month proclamation, according to the story referenced in the query, but no response was included in the provided search results.[4]

Related people

FAQ

What exactly did Governor Sanders proclaim for June 2026?

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued an official proclamation on May 27, 2026, designating June 2026 as “Fidelity Month” in Arkansas. The document, bearing her signature and the state seal, encourages residents to renew their commitment to God, family, community, and country. Sanders stated that cultivating fidelity to these areas supports a healthy, stable, and well-ordered society. The proclamation was published on the governor’s official website and confirmed via her verified social media accounts.

Why is this proclamation considered significant or controversial?

Arkansas is reported to be the first state to officially designate June as “Fidelity Month.” Media outlets, including The New Republic, have characterized the move as a “snub to Pride,” noting it coincides with Pride Month celebrations. The proclamation’s language emphasizes faith, freedom, and patriotism, which some reports frame as a challenge to LGBTQ+ observances. The initiative is linked to a broader political campaign, following a 2025 resolution by Sen. Mike Lee, to promote these specific traditional values nationally.

What specific values does the proclamation promote?

The proclamation explicitly promotes fidelity to God, family, community, and country. Sanders stated that these commitments contribute to human flourishing and a well-ordered society. Newsweek reported that the initiative encourages residents to reflect on these core values. The text references the United States’ founding on faith, freedom, and patriotism. Reports indicate the goal is to uplift spiritual and civic institutions as central to Arkansas’ identity, positioning these elements as foundational to a stable society.