Oath Keepers

Prompted by an organization formed for the purpose of reminding those of us who have taken an oath, it is time to examine just what these various oaths entail. To avoid any confusion about their intent I submit the exact context of several oaths which are administered to various different holders of public responsibility.

Leading the list is that taken by the President of the United States upon his inauguration.

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.

For senators, representatives and others in high level positions of federal government is this oath.

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.

For officers in the United States Military, this is the oath:

I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United Statesagainst 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.

The oath taken by enlisted members of the military is as follows:

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.[1]

The oaths of office of the several states’ officials mimic the above and often include addition of allegiance to individual states as well. The variance between the oaths is principally in the “so help me God” which is statutorily optional. Although the affirmation is not required, it is not prohibited either.

These oaths are a statutory requirement in accordance with:

TITLE 5 > PART III > Subpart B > CHAPTER 33 > SUBCHAPTER II > § 3331
§ 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.” This section does not affect other oaths required by law.

These vows are faithfully reproduced here to leave little doubt as to their nature and their intent. To arrive at a total figure for the number of Americans who have taken these oaths we find active military at 1.5 million, living veterans at 23.5 million, 20 million civilian employees of the federal, state & local government or about 45 million minimum who have sworn to uphold the constitution. To this one would add retired former government employees.

These commitments have been made by a substantial block of American society. In addition, all naturalized citizens have also sworn allegiance to the United States. The final total may well represent a number equivalent to the total vote registered for a single candidate in a presidential election.

This is the fledgling organization which is making an impact called Oath Keepers. Their swelling membership roles are comprised of those who take that original oath very seriously. They readily recognize variance between the language of these oaths and the realities being practiced by those in high office. Their purpose in being is to urge those who have taken those oaths to live up to their commitments. Their respect for the Constitution of the United States is unconditional and not subject to any time constraints nor affected by current employment.

They are repeatedly under attack from leftist organizations who paint them as right-wing extremists, hate mongers, and racists. Even agencies of the federal government have subjected them to intense scrutiny—the Department of Homeland Security for example. This is akin to the reckless branding of all military veterans as potential terrorists. As they continue to enlarge their ranks it is certain that the surveillance of the organization will increase.

It appears that those on the left and the current administration (Ed: isn’t that redundant?) are alarmed by a huge segment of the population who are well versed on the constitution and rigidly faithful to the basic principles of liberty in a free society. Of particular concern is the statutory mandate that no person is required to indulge any order which results in lawbreaking. The seizing of legal arms from citizens without cause (e.g. Katrina victims in New Orleans), illegal search and seizure (e.g. DHS regulations, especially in airport security), and other violations of constitutional protections are of special concern to the new organization. Please note that these complaints mentioned were under the administration of George Bush and no effort has been made by the current president or congress to remedy these outrages.

As this group gains strength and membership, be prepared to hear continued trashing of their aims ands motives. They operate under a typical corporate structure and are non-military in their organizational make-up. Their sole aim is apparently to restore those liberties and freedoms which have made our country exceptional.

I urge you to do your own research and investigate for yourself what these people hope to achieve. The only reason to do so is to save our nation from itself. Remember, all of those who have taken the oath, except the president, have sworn to “defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”


In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon