Friday marks the 234th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. On a day that is set aside to celebrate the nation’s supreme legal document, many have taken exception to the National Archives Records Administration’s (NARA) decision to place warning labels on the nation’s founding documents.
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover), chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, is chief among these critics. In decrying NARA’s move, Palmer noted the significance of the congressional oath of office, during which members of congress swear to uphold the sacred documents.
I 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; 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.
“That is the oath that I, along with every member serving in Congress, must take at the beginning of every new Congress,” said Palmer. “Yet the very entity in the federal government charged with the duty and responsibility to protect and maintain the document we are sworn to uphold and defend believe that ‘warning labels’ should be attached.”
In a statement to Fox News, NARA said the label serves to warn readers of “outdated” language.
“Our records span the history of the United States, and it is our charge to preserve and make these historical records available to the public,” NARA told Fox News. “Some of the materials presented in the Catalog show or describe violent or graphic events, or use outdated, biased, offensive, or violent language.”
Happy #ConstitutionDay! For over two centuries, our Constitution has stood for liberty and protection of our God-given rights. Let’s recommit today to defending our great nation’s founding document. pic.twitter.com/zq0USZicoZ
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) September 17, 2021
The congressman slammed the administration’s move, saying NARA’s actions are antithetical to the first U.S. president’s desire to “never abandon” the founding document.
Palmer continued, “The very people in charge of preserving the document George Washington promised to never abandon have effectively abandoned the document. With the 234th anniversary of the signing of our Constitution occurring today, all Americans should be celebrating the document that created the greatest form of government the world has ever known.”
Palmer blasted NARA’s placement of “Harmful Content Warning” labels above the nation’s founding text as an action he deems to be “extremely radical.”
“However, the National Archives has classified the Constitution as possibly containing ‘racist, sexist, ableist, misogynistic/misogynoir, and xenophobic opinions and attitudes; be discriminatory towards or exclude diverse views on sexuality, gender, religion, and more.’ This is just one more illustration of how extremely radical the Biden administration really is,” proclaimed Palmer.
The House Republican Policy leader claims that “radical liberal activists” wish to dismantle American identity.
“The idea that our Constitution needs a warning label is ridiculous and is an affront to our country’s history and values,” he added. “Millions of people have risked everything to come to America because of the very things our Declaration and Constitution promised. But today, radical liberal activists at the National Archives posing as civil servants are determined to destroy our national identity, divide us, and make us feel ashamed of our country. I can assure you, a house divided will not stand.”
Palmer went on to pledge his unwavering commitment to upholding the oath he took to protect the principles on which the nation was founded.
He concluded, “I am thankful for what our founding fathers gave us, for the promises enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the brilliant structure for government in the Constitution that has served us so well. As for me, I will always uphold my oath and stand against those who threaten the foundations of our liberty.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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