Federal Oaths

 

The oath of office taken by our leaders.  Remember – they MUST take these oaths upon be elected or re-elected to office.

The President of the United States of America:

Required by the United States Constitution before the President begins the execution of the office. The wording is specified in Article Two, Section One, Clause Eight

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.

Of Interest:

  • Franklin Pierce was the only president known to use the word affirm rather than swear.
  • Theodore Roosevelt did not use a Bible when taking the oath in 1901.
  • Dwight Eisenhower, Harry Truman, and Richard Nixon swore the oath on two Bibles.
  • John Quincy Adams swore on a book of law.
  • Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in on a Roman Catholic missal on Air Force One.
  • Washington kissed the Bible afterward, and subsequent presidents followed suit, up to Harry Truman

U.S. House of Representatives:

The oath of office required by the sixth article of the Constitution of the United States, and as provided by section 2 of the act of May 13, 1884 (23 Stat. 22), to be administered to Members, Resident Commissioner, and Delegates of the House of Representatives, the text of which is carried in 5 U.S.C. 3331:

“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; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

U.S. Senate:

Upon taking office, Senators-elect must swear or affirm that they will “support and defend the Constitution.” The president of the Senate or a surrogate administers the oath to newly elected or re-elected Senators. The oath is required by the Constitution; the wording is prescribed by law.

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; 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.

Military Oath of Enlistment:

Federal law requires everyone who enlists or re-enlists in the Armed Forces of the United States to take the enlistment oath.

All Military Services with the exception of the National Guard:

I, (NAME), 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.

National Guard (Army or Air)

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of (STATE NAME) 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 Governor of (STATE NAME) and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to law and regulations. So help me God.