Gary Gittings

State College

Article II, Section 1, of the U.S. Constitution mandates the following oath or affirmation before a U. S. President takes office: “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.” Can we count on Donald Trump to support that oath if he wins this year’s election?

According to the rules included in that same section and article, President Joe Biden fairly won the 2020 election. Trump did not accept the results and by various means attempted to thwart the peaceful transfer of power. This clearly was a failure to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

In December, 2022, in furtherance of his Big Lie, he tweeted, “A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations and articles, even those found in the Constitution.” That certainly doesn’t suggest a penchant for preserving, protecting and defending the Constitution.

Trump has already declared that he intends to be a dictator “on day one.” Being a dictator for even one day is not permitted by the checks and balances of our Constitution. And what might a dictator “for one day” do to ensure his status as dictator going forward?

Donald Trump has demonstrated through past actions and words, that he cannot be counted on to uphold the President’s Oath of Office. Please vote — and with that knowledge in mind.