“I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that 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; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
Is there an attorney out there (or anyone else!) who can tell me if “defend the Constitution” being listed first in this oath carries more weight than “obey the orders of the President”?
“Is there...anyone...who can tell me if “defend the Constitution” being listed first in this oath carries more weight than “obey the orders of the President”?”
That language appears in the oath administered to enlisted military personnel - and perhaps others. Most will tell you they would rather obey what appears to be a lawful order before trying to analyze the Constitutionality of that order.
If you Google the oath for military officers, U.S. Senators, etc. and you will see the duty is limited to defending the Constitution; not to the country, not to the President, etc. Thank God!
Don't know about that, but I do know that the officer's oath has nothing about obeying orders. Just "support and defend" and "fulfill the duties (unspecified) of the office.