The Oath of Office

12-14-2022

THE OATH OF OFFICE

In today’s world of information vs misinformation we are led to believe that politicians have a very different oath of office than that of ordinary US government elected or appointed employees. In fact that may be the problem when elected officials enter the stratosphere of the Capital Dome.

IS THERE A POLITICAL OATH OF OFFICE?

“I, AB, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Political Party of my Choosing against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me god of political correctness.”

5 U.S. Code § 3331 – Oath of office

An individual, except the President, elected or appointed to an office of honor or profit in the civil service or uniformed services, shall take the following oath:

“I, AB, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

President

Article II, Section 1, Clause 8:

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:–I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

A Historic Change in the Oath of Office

“The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
— U.S. Constitution, Article VI, clause 3

Military Oaths

The Oath of Office (for officers):

“I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the _____ (Military Branch) of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God.”

The Oath of Enlistment (for enlisted):

“I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

Due to the popularity of President Trump with military service members in 2021, when the 117^th Congress began Democratic Party leadership feared the military had taken a totally different oath of allegiance:

“I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

I have not found anyone who has served in uniform that did not take the oath to defend the Constitution as anything but serious. What is hard is obeying orders that are unlawful and/or based totally on the political views of someone in a position of authority or someone who has never worn a military uniform.

I take the oath to support and defend the US Constitution very seriously. I continue to place my life on the line every day to uphold the Constitution and the American way of life for my children and grandchildren. My allegiance is first and foremost to Almighty God. – RTM