Oaths are important. I took the Barrister’s oath and reflect on it regularly. I have been present when new lawyers take their oath. I have administered it many times. Sometimes we discuss it a bit so it’s clear to everyone the obligations. I have reminded some lawyers of it.
US senators have an oath:
Oath of Office
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;
Oath of Office
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.
I have to conclude, watching this Senate trial that the Republican Senators have violated their oath. They do not bear true faith. The president is an enemy of the US constitution.
Their oath has been violated by their faith to party and desire to hold power.
Their oath has been violated by their faith to party and desire to hold power.
The oath is part of the division of power in the US. If senators are unfaithful to their oath, they are unfaithful to the people and the constitution.
Faithfully discharging these duties? No. It’s a lie. They are unfaithful to the constitution.
Faithfully discharging these duties? No. It’s a lie. They are unfaithful to the constitution.
I’m not a big fan of ritual. An oath concerning a public position is more than a ritual. You state that you will put aside your interests for certain public goods / societal needs. Long after I’m not a lawyer I will still abide by the principles of my oath.
