They Took an Oath
Please understand, this is not intended to be a political rant, only a thinking-out-loud kind of thing. That being said, I did some quick research and found texts of the oaths of office taken by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzger.
The oath taken by Mayor Brandon Johnson on May 15, 2023 reads:
“I, Brandon Johnson, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Mayor of the City of Chicago according to the best of my ability.”
The Illinois Constitution (Article XIII, Section 3) prescribes the oath for all state officers, including the Governor:
“I do solemnly swear (affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of [Governor] to the best of my ability.”
What I find interesting is that in neither oath is there anything that specifically states that the one swearing will look after the safety and best interests of their constituents. Granted, that should be assumed if they are taking oaths to uphold state and national constitutions. However, constitutional law can be debated, even the intentions of those who wrote them.
So, what’s my point?
It would seem that the President of the United States sending in National Guard troops to GUARD the safety of other citizens trying to carry out their sworn duties would be a good thing. Those troops are not being sent to patrol the streets and enforce Martial Law; they are being sent to protect law enforcement from other citizens who are intent on disrupting or even harming them.
Therefore, it would seem that the best interest of the people the elected officials are sworn to serve would include the enforcement of civility and safety, not further resistance to law and order.
In other words, it seems to me that JD Pritzger and Brandon Johnson resent President Trump, even hate him, more than they care about civility and the rule of law. I would dare say that their personal disdain for the leadership of the President “trumps” the welfare of those they swore to serve.
Maybe oaths of office should include language that’s a little less debatable and a lot more enforceable. Specifically, the oaths should include language like: “I solemnly swear to make sure the safety and welfare of the people I serve, regardless of political affiliation, carries infinitely more weight than my petty political pet peeves I have with others.”
Just my opinion, of course.
The Recovering Legalist 