Commentary: The oath that defends America — and Western culture

For more than two centuries, Americans who enter public service — from soldiers and police officers to members of Congress — begin their duty with a solemn promise. It is an oath to support and defend the United States Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That promise is not symbolic. It is the foundation of public service in a constitutional republic and the bedrock of Western culture itself.

The requirement dates back to the earliest days of the nation. When the Constitution took effect in 1789, it required every federal and state official to swear loyalty not to a king or political faction, but to the Constitution. The first public example of that principle came when George Washington took the presidential oath in New York City, pledging to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.

The framers understood something fundamental: governments can only remain free if those entrusted with power agree to limit themselves under law. That is why the oath matters. Unlike monarchies of the past — where officials swore loyalty to a ruler — American public servants pledge loyalty to a system that guarantees the rights and freedoms of the people.