Dear Editor:

The oaths of office for the president, the Senate, and the House of Representatives all share the same foundational principle: an absolute allegiance to the U.S. Constitution. While they share this identical core purpose, the exact wording and specific obligations differ because the president's oath is written directly into the Constitution, whereas members of Congress take a separate oath written by federal law.

Every official in the executive and legislative branches must agree to these fundamental tenets:

Constitutional Supremacy: No individual swears loyalty to a king, a political party, a specific leader, or even the government itself—only to the U.S. Constitution

While the Constitution requires members of Congress to be bound by oath to support the Constitution, the specific text is mandated by statute (5 U.S. Code 3331). The "Enemies" Clause: Added during the Civil War to ensure loyalty, the congressional oath includes specific language regarding "enemies, foreign and domestic" and "mental reservation" that is absent from the president's 18th-century oath. 

Support vs. Preserve: The president swears to "preserve, protect and defend," highlighting an executive duty to uphold the legal framework, whereas congress members promise to "support and defend" it.

Now let’s look back:

Iran has been threatening the United States for 50 years killing our troops and citizens. President Trump decided to defend the country; everyone in the legislative branches who opposed him violated their oath of office: treason.

When Trump initiated tariffs to bring back jobs and industry (industries other Presidents and Legislators gave away) they violated their oath of office: treason.

When Trump called for the Save America Act (it’s literally in the name), every Senator and Congressman who opposes it are violating their oath of office: treason.

Joe Scorcia

Boothbay