Difference between revisions of "American Government and the Constitution Lecture Three"
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If you read Article II of the Constitution carefully last week, then you know that the oath of office for the president is in the Constitution itself. Article II, Section 1 states that the president, when sworn into office (usually during his inauguration a few months after being elected), must take this oath: | If you read Article II of the Constitution carefully last week, then you know that the oath of office for the president is in the Constitution itself. Article II, Section 1 states that the president, when sworn into office (usually during his inauguration a few months after being elected), must take this oath: | ||
{{cquote|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.}} | {{cquote|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.}} | ||
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Usually it is the Chief Justice of the United States (the highest judge on the Supreme Court) who administers the oath to the president, typically in Washington, D.C. But not always. When George Washington became president for the first time in 1788, there was no Capitol yet in Washington, D.C., and there was no Supreme Court yet. So George Washington was sworn in New York City, by a state official. Calvin Coolidge became president when Warren Harding surprisingly passed away from an illness, and Coolidge was sworn in by his father, who was merely a notary public authorized to witness signatures on documents. Coolidge did not take the oath in Washington, D.C., but at his father's home in Plymouth, Vermont. | Usually it is the Chief Justice of the United States (the highest judge on the Supreme Court) who administers the oath to the president, typically in Washington, D.C. But not always. When George Washington became president for the first time in 1788, there was no Capitol yet in Washington, D.C., and there was no Supreme Court yet. So George Washington was sworn in New York City, by a state official. Calvin Coolidge became president when Warren Harding surprisingly passed away from an illness, and Coolidge was sworn in by his father, who was merely a notary public authorized to witness signatures on documents. Coolidge did not take the oath in Washington, D.C., but at his father's home in Plymouth, Vermont. | ||
Revision as of 02:12, September 21, 2014
American Government and the Constitution Lectures: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14
| “ | 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." This section does not affect other oaths required by law. | ” |
The above is Title 5 of the United States Code, Section 3331, which establishes by law that federal officials other than the president take the above oath of office. Notice that the oath is to defend the Constitution, "So help me God." Our nation is governed by the Constitution, by "Rule of Law."
Why does the federal law say "except the President." Does the president take an oath of office? What is his oath?
If you read Article II of the Constitution carefully last week, then you know that the oath of office for the president is in the Constitution itself. Article II, Section 1 states that the president, when sworn into office (usually during his inauguration a few months after being elected), must take this oath:
| “ | 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. | ” |
Usually it is the Chief Justice of the United States (the highest judge on the Supreme Court) who administers the oath to the president, typically in Washington, D.C. But not always. When George Washington became president for the first time in 1788, there was no Capitol yet in Washington, D.C., and there was no Supreme Court yet. So George Washington was sworn in New York City, by a state official. Calvin Coolidge became president when Warren Harding surprisingly passed away from an illness, and Coolidge was sworn in by his father, who was merely a notary public authorized to witness signatures on documents. Coolidge did not take the oath in Washington, D.C., but at his father's home in Plymouth, Vermont.