Former President Donald Trump has declined to sign a loyalty oath instituted by the state of Illinois, as reported by WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times over the weekend. The oath requires candidates to pledge against advocating for the overthrow of the government, and while it is not mandatory, it has been signed by candidates for decades, including by Trump in previous elections.

President Joe Biden's campaign expressed strong disapproval of Trump's decision, condemning his refusal to sign the pledge. Biden's spokesperson, Michael Tyler, issued a statement on Saturday, declaring, "For the entirety of our nation's history, presidents have put their hand on the Bible and sworn to protect and uphold the Constitution of the United States - and Donald Trump can't bring himself to sign a piece of paper saying he won't attempt a coup to overthrow our government." Tyler further criticized Trump, highlighting his past actions and derogatory remarks towards the military.

In response, Trump's campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, defended the former president by emphasizing his future plans. Cheung stated that Trump intends to retake the oath of office on January 20th, 2025, and reiterate his commitment to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States" to the best of his ability.

Adding to the controversy, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker took to Twitter to express his thoughts on Trump's refusal to sign the loyalty oath. Pritzker's tweet, published on the anniversary of the January 6th Capitol insurrection, read, "Pledging not to overthrow our democracy is a hard thing to do when you've already attempted it once."

The report from WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times highlights the significance of the loyalty oath, tracing its origins back to the McCarthy Red Scare era. While not required, the pledge has been voluntarily signed by candidates for decades. Notably, both President Biden and Trump's Republican primary rivals have signed the pledge this year.

With Trump's decision to forego signing the loyalty oath, the controversy surrounding him continues to escalate. The refusal has sparked criticism from the Biden campaign and drawn attention to the former president's past actions, reigniting debates over his commitment to upholding democratic principles.

As the political landscape evolves, the upcoming years are likely to see increased scrutiny and debate surrounding loyalty pledges and the responsibilities of candidates seeking public office.