It was a brief but awkward moment at City Hall, like a piano recital where the performer has suddenly lost track of the notes.

Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León had been asked by City Council President Nury Martinez to lead his colleagues in the Pledge of Allegiance, which is recited by council members each Tuesday during their Zoom meetings.

The delivery was far from smooth.

De León, who represents such neighborhoods as Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock and El Sereno, started off strong and then suddenly lost the words, stopping at the phrase “United States of America.” He paused, mumbled “undervisible,” then quickly started over.

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