MIA: POTUS

You stand up in front of a large crowd, walk to a podium, place your hand on a holy book of your choice and say:

     "I do solemnly swear 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."*

This is an oath, a solemn promise to carry out a set of actions on behalf of the Constitution and the people of the United States of America. You do not--you can not--walk away from it, abrogate it, deny it or ignore it. 

These are the most important thirty-five words you will ever utter. You are making a covenant with all Americans--not Latino, not African-American, not white, not Asian, not Native American, not male nor female--but all of us; every single one of the 331 million citizens of this sovereign country.

Your duty is clear and your job has only two requirements: 1): Execute the office to which you were elected, regardless of what it throws at you, always keeping in mind the welfare of those 331 million people who expect you to lead them; and 2): Preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, every word and phrase of it, with honesty, fairness, and decency toward all. That is what you have sworn to do.

From ancient times oaths have been considered a special kind of promise. They are frequently taken in life-or-death situations and sometimes include a plea or reference to a deity. Merriam-Webster defines oath as: "a solemn attestation of the truth or inviolability of one's words."

And it was words that Americans came to hear, in person or remotely. They enjoyed the fireworks and the spectacle, followed the parade, gossiped about who was wearing what at the inaugural balls, but they came to witness the words that make this nation unique in the world, words that have provided peaceful transition of power for 231 years.

You said: “I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear 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."

If you have determined that you are unable to carry out your duties, you have two options. You can invoke the 25th Amendment, take a break and place the vice president in charge temporarily; or you can resign. 

Make a decision. Respect your oath, or in the name of God, go!


--- Diogenes, for the American people, 5/9/20

* Original spelling and capitalization. The phrase "So help me, God" is optional.