“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.”
— Article II, Section 1, Clause 8, U.S. Constitution
Every four years, those thirty-five words renew the covenant between a United States president, the country, and its citizens. Since George Washington first spoke them in 1789, they have symbolized continuity, humility, and duty above self.
Most presidents have added four more words — “So help me God” is not required by the Constitution, but the phrase and the rest of the oath have become a tradition of moral accountability for all presidents except three: Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and the latest, Donald John Trump.
Given his two-term behavior in office, it is hard to believe Trump even took the oath, but here is video evidence:
Let me break this down for you:
“I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear …”
The opening phrase demands sincerity — a moment of gravity between the new president and the nation. Trump treats an oath like a reality show, not solemn testimony. “I solemnly swear, when it’s convenient or serves my personal needs” is more like it. During his presidency, Trump
Mocked a disabled reporter; insulted Gold Star families; belittled POW John McCain.
Turned solemn occasions into campaign rallies.
Refused to divest from his businesses and dismissed ethics as optional.
A solemn oath begins with humility. Trump’s presidency begins and ends with ego and self-interest.
This is nothing new and certainly not surprising. In multiple court appearances over the years, he’s done the same thing: Taken oaths to tell the truth and lied repeatedly. In business, he’s defrauded the public and executed contracts he never intended to honor. Decency and Trump are oxymorons.
“… that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States …”
To “faithfully execute” means to place the office above self-interest. Trump blurred that line from day one.
Emoluments: Continued to profit from Trump Hotel bookings by lobbyists and foreign governments.
Loyalty over law: Demanded personal allegiance from FBI Director Comey; fired officials who honored their oaths instead of his whims.
Weaponized justice: Trying to punish Bolton, Comey, and other perceived enemies through a politicized Justice Department.
Crony appointments: Filled agencies with Family members, donors, and ass-kissers rather than qualified civil servants.
For Trump, “faithful execution” apparently means “faithful self-promotion and self-interest.”
“… and will, to the best of my Ability …”
Every president brings limits. The promise is to give one’s best. I don’t know if Donald Trump has a “best,” but this can’t be it. He consistently works hard to give the country his worst. At “best,” he will most often defer to his worst instincts. Here are some examples:
Pandemic negligence: Dismissed science and scientific guidance, floated “inject disinfectant,” politicized masks and vaccines, and told us to drink bleach.
Abdicated leadership: Skipped intelligence briefings; relied on biased cable news reports; raged on social media as crises mounted.
Personal indulgence: Spent millions of taxpayer dollars on golf trips and weekends at Mar-a-Lago while squandering even more Money on tax breaks for people in his income bracket.
“Best of my ability” became “best for me,” “best for my image,” or “whatever makes me feel better.”
“… preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States …”
This is the heart of the oath — allegiance to the Constitution, not to a cult of personality. Here is the dismal record of one DJT:
Overturning elections: From “find me 11,780 votes” in 2020 to 2025 loyalty purges of election officials. From attempts to persuade his vice-president to decertify to inciting a riot at the Capitol. From Russian interference apologist to insurrectionist president.
Insurrection Legacy: Cheerlead and excused those who stormed the Capitol; he called them “patriots” and “hostages,” not traitors and criminals.
Abuse of power: Threatened blue-state mayors with military intervention; promised to “be your retribution.”
Classified documents scandal: Hid top-secret files in Mar-a-Lago bathrooms and obstructed recovery efforts.
Retaliation government (2025): Using independent government agencies to punish political critics and dismantle independent oversight.
Preserving the Constitution means defending democracy. Donald Trump chooses to defend Donald Trump, every time.
“… So help me God.”
While the Constitution prevents the establishment of a particular religion, Presidents often invoke God to acknowledge moral accountability. Trump uttered the “God words, but, as usual, used God and religion as props. Here’s his record:
Cleared peaceful protesters with tear gas to stage a photo op holding a Bible upside down.
Courted Christian nationalism while ignoring compassion, truth, and humility.
Profited from the presidency, poisoned environmental protections, pardoned cronies, and mocked faith leaders who disagreed with his policies.
Religion by convenience. When it suits him (abortion debate), he’s religious. When it doesn’t (immigration, blue states, compassion, Health care for the needy, he’s not.
“So help me God” is a presidential plea for guidance. Out of Trump’s mouth, it’s a marketing ploy.
Epilogue · The Oath as a Mirror
The presidential oath of office is not a ceremony; it’s a mirror. When a president breaks faith with that reflection, the damage spreads beyond policy — it erodes the nation’s trust in its own promise. Since 2016, we have witnessed the demise of civility, bipartisanship, patriotic spirit, respect for each other, tolerance, and adherence to the rule of law. The promise of America is for citizens to celebrate their differences, not fight over them.
Trump’s words on two cold days in January, eight years apart, were the same ones every president has spoken on his first day in office. But for this president, words are wind. It is character that gives words meaning or weight. History records whether presidents honor the oath. Like Andrew Johnson and Richard Nixon before him, history will not be kind to Donald John Trump. And he has truly earned his rightful place in history: The Deceitful, Self-Interested, Foul-Mouthed, Divisive, Reality Show President.
Aren’t you proud?
Mark M. Bello
Mark M. Bello is an attorney and author of 9 Zachary Blake Legal Thrillers and other legal themed novels and children’s books. For more information, please visit https://www.markmbello.com
For many years, Bob Gatty worked as a writer, editor, and communications consultant, based on the Washington, DC area with a focus on government and politics. He began at The Pittsburgh Courier, an African American weekly, covering crime and the courts. His salary was $55 per week before moving on to two local Pennsylvania dailies. At age 24, he began reporting for United Press International covering state politics in Pennsylvania and then New Jersey, where he was UPI’s state capitol bureau in Trenton.
Tempted by the allure of Washington, DC and big-time politics, at age 29 Bob became press secretary and chief of staff for two Congressmen – first Republican Edwin B. Forsythe, and then Democrat James J. Florio, who later became governor of New Jersey and until his recent death was a frequent podcast guest and co-host of Bob’s NFN Radio News podcast (now called Lean to the Left).
After seven years on Capitol Hill, Bob opened a communications business in Washington, first providing political media consulting to candidates and then freelance Washington coverage for business and trade magazines, plus creative communications services for trade and professional associations, including social media. This work involved articles and analyses of key governmental developments affecting businesses, such as the food and Health industries, retailing, and the environment.
His work as a communications consultant to trade and professional associations included launching and editing association publications, providing website content and social media assistance, and covering conferences and conventions.
Bob retired from G-Net Strategic Communications in 2016 and moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where he launched his blog site, first called Not Fake News, now known as Lean to the Left.
Hijacked Nation
In August, 2020, Bob and co-author Chris Waldron, one of Lean to the Left's most loyal and prolific contributor, published "Hijacked Nation-Donald Trump's Attack on America's Greatness," a two-volume compilation of blogs regarding Trump's presidency and the consequences for our nation. A followup volume was published by Luna Global Media in September 2024. It is available at https://amzn.to/4ePrTF7 .
In all three volumes, blogs from Not Fake News and Lean to the Left create a virtual play-by-play of key actions of the Trump administration and Congress. For more information, please visit https://leantotheleft.net/books/, and visit Bob's Author's Page on Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bob-Gatty/author/B08C7HWXZ5?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=4e603563-7251-4074-b54d-40800c4ce40a.
The Lean to the Left Podcast
The Lean to the Left podcast provides commentary and interviews with newsmakers and others with interesting stories to tell. Video and audio podcasts stream twice weekly on major channels. More info at https://podcast.leantotheleft.net.
The Lean to the Left YouTube Channel
You'll find all of the audio tracks for the Lean to the Left Podcast here plus original videos, including complete video versions of each podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/@LeantotheLeft.
by Mark M. Bello
