Simone Lawson
The US Constitution is protected by the President, Senators, and Members of Congress, who all swear an oath of office to uphold it. The President's oath requires much more than a general oath of allegiance and fidelity, and includes a promise to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Members of the House of Representatives take an oath to uphold the Constitution in a group swearing-in on the House Floor on the opening day of a new Congress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who swears to protect the constitution? | Senators, Members of the House, the President, Vice President, members of Congress |
| What do they swear? | To uphold the Constitution |
| What is the 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 I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God." |
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What You'll Learn
The President of the United States
The 20th Amendment to the Constitution states that a President's term of office begins at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on January 20th of the year following an election. The oath is as follows:
> 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.
The oath is required by Article VI, Clause 3, of the Constitution, which states that the President must be "bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution". This is a more specific oath than the general oath of allegiance and fidelity required of Senators.
The oath of office is also taken by other officials, including members of Congress, who are required to "be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this Constitution".
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Members of the House of Representatives
The oath taken by Members of the House is as follows:
> "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 I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."
This oath is taken by the entire House of Representatives at the start of each new Congress, in January of every odd-numbered year. The House of Representatives is not the only governmental body to take this oath; the President, Vice President, and one-third of the Senate also swear to protect the Constitution.
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Senators
The oath of office for senators is specified in Article VI of the Constitution, which states that members of Congress "shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this Constitution." This means that senators pledge their allegiance to the Constitution and promise to uphold and defend it.
The specific wording of the oath taken by senators is: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States." This oath was first adopted by the First Congress in 1789 and has been a requirement for senators ever since.
In addition to the general oath of office, senators may also be required to take other oaths or affirmations in certain situations. For example, Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution requires senators, when sitting to try impeachments, to be "on Oath or Affirmation." This means that senators must swear or affirm their commitment to impartiality and fairness when participating in impeachment trials.
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Members of Congress
The oath of office is taken at the start of each new Congress, in January of every odd-numbered year. The entire House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate take the oath together. The Speaker of the House directs the Members to rise, and the oath is administered.
The oath taken by Members of Congress is: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States". This oath was first adopted by the First Congress in 1789.
At times of national crisis, such as the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, the oath of office has been expanded to emphasise loyalty to the Union. For example, President Abraham Lincoln ordered all federal civilian employees within the executive branch to take an expanded oath during the Civil War.
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Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is second-in-command to the President. They are required to take an oath of office, also known as a swearing-in ceremony, to uphold the Constitution. The Constitution only specifies an oath of office for the President, but Article VI of the Constitution states that other officials, including the Vice President, "shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this Constitution".
The oath of office for the Vice President is as follows: "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 I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God".
The Vice President's term of office begins at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on January 20th of the year following an election, according to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.
The Vice President is not the only official required to take an oath to uphold the Constitution. Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate also take an oath of office. This takes place on the House Floor on the opening day of a new Congress, in January of every odd-numbered year.
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Frequently asked questions
The President, Vice President, Senators, and Members of the House of Representatives.
"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 I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."
At the start of each new Congress, in January of every odd-numbered year.
No, the President's oath is slightly different: "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."
