CONSTITUTIONAL OATHS
Honor means Pledging an Oath…
Giving Your Word to uphold the Constitution
Governmental Oath Overview
The original 1787 text of the Constitution of the United States makes four references to an “oath or affirmation”:
- In Article I, Senators must take a special oath or affirmation for the purpose of sitting as the tribunal for impeachment;
- In Article II, the president is required to take a specified oath or affirmation before entering office (see oath of office); and
- In Article VI, all state and federal officials must take an oath or affirmation to support the US Constitution.
- A fourth appears in Amendment IV, all warrants must be supported by evidence given under oath or affirmation.
Presidential Oath
The Constitution specifies an oath of office only for the President:
US Constitution, Article II, Section 1, clause 8 states:
“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.”
Congressional Oath
The Constitution (Article VI, clause 3) requires that Senators and Representatives take an oath of office to support the Constitution. The specific language of the oath has changed several times since it was first administered in 1789. It is set by statute (5 U.S.C. 3331), enacted by Congress. It now reads:
I do solemnly swear 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 will 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.
Military Oath
As a military combat veteran, I also took an oath, as did all of my comrades in arms. We actively served as visible representatives of our country. Sadly, some had their lives cut short, or dramatically altered from injury. They took their oath seriously… that oath became a life or death covenant.
As we commemorate this Memorial Day,
I ask all those who serve in the leadership of our government,
how seriously to you take your oath…
to defend the Constitution of the United States of America?