Report: Trump Didn’t Sign Illinois Loyalty Oath

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Facts

  • Radio station WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times on Saturday reported that former Pres. Donald Trump, who is currently running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, didn’t sign Illinois’ voluntary loyalty oath during his campaign’s registration for inclusion on the primary ballot.1
  • Signatories of the oath — which Trump signed prior to the 2016 and 2020 elections — attest that they will not 'directly or indirectly teach or advocate the overthrow of the government of the United States' or the state of Illinois.1
  • Michael Tyler, a campaign spokesman for Democratic Pres. Joe Biden, quickly condemned Trump’s omission on Saturday, accusing Trump of not valuing American principles as much as 'his own quest for retribution and power.'2
  • The state made the oath mandatory for candidates in 1951, but a federal court ruled this requirement was unconstitutional, so it was made voluntary. Both Biden and GOP Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — who is challenging Trump for the nomination — have already signed the oath.3
  • This comes as Illinois has become the latest in over a dozen states to see Trump’s eligibility in GOP primaries challenged. Five voters have filed a petition alleging his actions related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attempt to stop certification of the 2020 presidential election results violated the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.4

Sources: 1USA Today, 2Chicago Sun, 3Business Insider and 4Associated Press.

Narratives

  • Anti-Trump narrative, as provided by Daily Kos. Refusing to sign this oath — particularly days before the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol — is just a small part of Trump’s attack on democracy and its traditions and protocols. He still hasn’t conceded the 2020 election and there’s no telling what he's planning for 2024. Since he’s already incited an insurrection, there’s probably no limit to what he’ll do to regain and consolidate power.
  • Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by Breitbart. In the knowledge that Biden won’t be able to beat Trump, Democrats have resorted to underhand tactics to exclude him from the ballot. They are denying voters a genuine electoral choice, as well scaremongering by claiming that Trump’s legitimate decision not to take the Illinois oath means he’s going to wreck democracy. Democrats are the real threat to Americans’ freedoms.

Predictions