Every federal employee, from the newest hire to the most senior officials, takes the same oath of office—a solemn commitment to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. These words are more than a formality. They are a promise—a guide. And, in difficult times, they are a source of strength.
The current Federal Oath of Office has remained unchanged since 1884. That’s 141 years.
It reads:
I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
Lately, I know that many public employees are feeling uncertain about their future—whether it’s due to shifting political landscapes, budget cuts, or even outright hostility toward government service. If you’re in that position, I want you to know this: your oath matters.
For those in the private sector, I want to help you understand how deeply federal employees live by this oath—often at great personal cost. While it’s easy to debate the size and efficiency of government, it’s a failure of leadership to paint all public servants as villains. The reality is that we owe much of our freedom, security, and stability to the very people who swore that oath.
Let’s talk about why it still matters today.
For Public Employees: When Everything Feels Uncertain, the Oath Is Your North Star
If you work in government right now, you might feel disheartened. Maybe your agency is under attack in the media. Perhaps you’re being asked to carry out policies that conflict with your values. Maybe you’re worried your job will be eliminated altogether.
Here’s what I want you to remember:
The oath you took isn’t to a boss. It’s not to a political party. It’s not even to a specific administration. It’s to the Constitution.
That means your mission doesn’t change just because the political winds shift. The rule of law still matters. Ethical government still matters. And the quiet, steady work that keeps this country running—work that most people never see—still matters.
Throughout history, public employees have been asked to make hard choices in the name of that oath. Some have lost their jobs for refusing unlawful orders. Some have resigned rather than betray their integrity. Some have put their lives on the line to ensure our democracy endures.
If you feel alone at this moment, you’re not. Generations of public servants have walked this path before you, and they stayed true to their oath. You can, too.
If you want to connect to other federal employees in similar situations, check out the FedNews SubReddit or the 1102 SubReddit.
If you do happen to find yourself in the upcoming RIFs, this calculator can help you understand what you’re entitled to.
And if you need a reminder of why this matters, just look around. Look at the free and fair elections you help safeguard. Look at the national parks you help maintain, the justice system you uphold, the laws you enforce, and the communities you serve.
You don’t do this for recognition. You do it because you took an oath to something bigger than yourself. That’s not just a job—it’s a calling.
For Private Sector Professionals: Why This Oath Should Matter to You, Too
I get it. If you’ve never worked in government, it might be easy to see federal employees as just another cog in a bureaucratic machine. You might even think of them as wasteful, inefficient, or—worse—unnecessary.
But let me ask you this: What would happen if the people who swore this oath simply stopped showing up?
- Who protects national security when government workers walk away?
- Who ensures the economy functions smoothly when regulatory agencies collapse?
- Who upholds the laws protecting your business, home, and rights?
Public employees take an oath to protect the very framework that allows private enterprise to exist. The free market only works because there is a stable, lawful system underneath it—one that these employees uphold, regardless of which administration is in charge.
And let’s be clear: the oath isn’t just words on paper. Time and time again, public servants have put their careers, reputations, and even personal safety on the line to honor it.
Here are just a few examples:
- FBI Directors have been fired for refusing to pledge loyalty to a president instead of the Constitution.
- Military officers have resigned rather than carry out unlawful orders.
- Whistleblowers have come forward, knowing they would lose everything because their oath demanded it.
That’s not bureaucracy. That’s sacrifice.
Of course, we should always strive for efficient government and smart spending. However, treating public employees as enemies or corrupt bureaucrats is a leadership failure—whether in the workplace or national discourse. The overwhelming majority of government employees are honest, hardworking professionals who serve quietly, without fanfare, because they believe in something bigger than themselves.
Try to imagine if you’ve never taken an oath like that. Imagine that your job didn’t just require performance—it required loyalty to a set of principles so unwavering that violating them could mean the end of your career.
That’s what public employees live with every day.
What We Owe Our Public Servants
This country was built and is sustained by people who take the oath of office seriously. And we owe them more than just criticism when things aren’t perfect. We owe them:
- Respect – For their service, sacrifices, and commitment to the rule of law.
- Fairness – Holding the government accountable doesn’t mean vilifying the people who keep it running.
- Gratitude – Because without them, this nation does not function.
If you’re a public employee struggling with uncertainty, lean on your oath. It has guided generations before you, and it will guide you now.
If you’re in the private sector, I challenge you to see public employees differently, not as nameless bureaucrats but as people who have pledged to defend the same freedoms you enjoy daily.
America is not perfect—but the fact that we even have a system where we can debate, criticize, and improve it? That’s because of the people who took the oath and never wavered.
And that, my friends, is something worth honoring.
Final Thought
Public service is not a job. It is a commitment to something greater than oneself. In times of uncertainty, in times of challenge, and in times of doubt—the oath remains.
For those who have sworn it: Stand tall. You are not alone.
For those who have not: Understand and respect what it means.
Because, at the end of the day, the oath of office is the glue that holds America together.
