Jonah Patel
The Constitution is the longest-serving written constitution in world history and has primacy over all justices, legislators, and presidents in the United States. Each constitutional officer takes an oath to defend the Constitution, and the president's oath is the most important of all. The founders of the American republic were some of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and politically aware leaders in all political history. They understood the importance of words and saw the danger and necessity of a chief executive. They invested the presidency with incredible power, even as they divided power into three independent branches. During election season, candidates often promise to defend the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who makes the promise | Politicians, government officials, presidents, congressmen, and army enlistees |
| When is the promise made | During election season, when sworn into Congress, when enlisting in the army |
| What does the promise involve | A personal responsibility to adhere to constitutional norms, filling the constitutionally prescribed role, working within the parameters of a system, defending the Constitution's primacy over all justices, legislators, and presidents |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution is the longest-serving written constitution in world history
The founders of the American republic were some of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and politically aware leaders in all political history. They were students of history and government and had won a revolution. They were also eloquent statesmen who understood the importance of words. They saw both the danger and the necessity of a chief executive and invested the presidency with incredible power, even as they divided power into three independent branches.
The Constitution is not a sacred document, but it does demand a sacred commitment. Almost all presidents have ended their taking of the oath with the words, "so help me God". During election season, candidates often promise to defend the Constitution. This involves a personal responsibility on the part of the government officer to adhere to constitutional norms, even if it means sublimating personal or party interests. It also means filling the constitutionally prescribed role rather than delegating or overreaching while working in the parameters of a system, even when that results in disappointment or sacrifice.
The Constitution is more than just the Bill of Rights. It also lays out the enumerated powers of the federal government, particularly Article I, Section 8, which lays out the powers of Congress.
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Politicians often promise to defend the Constitution
The U.S. Constitution is the longest-serving written constitution in world history, and it has primacy over all justices, legislators, and presidents in the nation. Each constitutional officer takes an oath to defend the Constitution, and the president’s oath is the most important of all, as the danger and the duty of the presidency are greater than all others. The founders of the American republic were some of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and politically aware leaders in all political history. They had been students of history and government, had won a revolution, and were forgers of a new political order. They were also eloquent statesmen who understood the importance of words. They saw both the danger and the necessity of a chief executive, and they invested the presidency with incredible power, even as they divided power into three independent branches.
The Constitution is more than just the Bill of Rights. It also lays out the enumerated powers of the federal government, and particularly Article I, Section 8, which lays out the powers of Congress. Congress often passes laws that go beyond the authorities listed in the Constitution, or it unconstitutionally delegates its powers to the executive branch through the administrative state.
The Constitution demands a sacred commitment, which is why almost all presidents have ended their taking of the oath with the words, “so help me God”.
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Government officials make an oath to defend the Constitution
The U.S. Constitution is the longest-serving written constitution in world history, and it has primacy over all justices, legislators, and presidents in the nation. Each constitutional officer takes an oath to defend the Constitution, and the president’s oath is the most important of all, as the danger and duty of the presidency is greater than all others.
The founders of the American republic were some of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and politically aware leaders in all political history. They were students of history and government and had won a revolution. They were also eloquent statesmen who understood the importance of words. They saw both the danger and the necessity of a chief executive, and they invested the presidency with incredible power, even as they divided power into three independent branches.
Congressman Warren Davidson has said that he took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution when he enlisted in the Army and again when he was sworn into Congress. He takes this oath seriously, but he has seen infringements on the Constitution, especially the First, Second, and Fourth Amendments. He also points out that the Constitution is more than just the Bill of Rights—it also lays out the enumerated powers of the federal government, and particularly Article I, Section 8, which lays out the powers of Congress.
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The President's oath is the most important of all
The President's oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution is the most important promise a President can make. The founders of the American republic were some of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and politically aware leaders in history. They understood the importance of words and the dangers of a chief executive. They invested the presidency with incredible power, even as they divided power into three independent branches.
The Constitution is not a sacred document, but it does demand a sacred commitment. Almost all presidents have ended their taking of the oath with the words, "so help me God". The U.S. Constitution is the longest-serving written constitution in world history, and it has primacy over all justices, legislators, and presidents in the nation. Each constitutional officer takes an oath to defend the Constitution, but the president's oath is the most important of all. The danger and the duty of the presidency are greater than all others.
During election season, candidates often promise to defend the Constitution. This is as it should be. The oath involves a personal responsibility on the part of the government officer to adhere to constitutional norms, even if it means sublimating personal or party interests. It also means filling the constitutionally prescribed role rather than delegating or overreaching while working in the parameters of a system, even when that results in disappointment or sacrifice.
The Constitution is more than just the Bill of Rights. It also lays out the enumerated powers of the federal government, and particularly Article I, Section 8, which lays out the powers of Congress. Congress must not pass laws that go beyond the authorities listed in the Constitution, nor can it unconstitutionally delegate its powers to the executive branch through the administrative state.
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The Constitution lays out the powers of Congress
The Constitution is the longest-serving written constitution in world history, and it has primacy over all justices, legislators, and presidents in the United States. Each constitutional officer takes an oath to defend the Constitution, and the president’s oath is the most important of all. This is because the founders of the American republic were some of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and politically aware leaders in all political history. They had been students of history and government, had won a revolution, and were now forgers of a new political order. They were also eloquent statesmen who understood the importance of words. They saw both the danger and the necessity of a chief executive, and they invested the presidency with incredible power, even as they divided power into three independent branches.
The oath to defend the Constitution involves a personal responsibility on the part of the government officer to adhere to constitutional norms, even if this means sublimating personal or party interests. It also means filling the constitutionally prescribed role rather than delegating or overreaching while working in the parameters of a system, even when that results in disappointment or sacrifice.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution is the longest-serving written constitution in world history. It has primacy over all justices, legislators, and presidents in the United States. To 'protect and defend the Constitution' means to adhere to constitutional norms and to fill the constitutionally prescribed role rather than delegating or overreaching.
All politicians and government officials have to promise to 'protect and defend the Constitution'. This includes the President, whose oath is the most important of all.
If the Constitution is not protected and defended, it can lead to infringements on the rights and freedoms it guarantees. For example, there have been infringements on the First, Second, and Fourth Amendments.
The President has a duty to 'protect and defend the Constitution' due to the incredible power invested in the presidency by the founders of the American republic.
Politicians and government officials promise to 'protect and defend the Constitution' by taking an oath. This oath involves a personal responsibility to adhere to constitutional norms and to fill the constitutionally prescribed role.
