Former President Donald Trump has chosen not to sign Illinois' loyalty oath, a voluntary pledge in which candidates promise not to advocate for the overthrow of the government. The decision comes as Trump submitted his nomination papers to run in Illinois for the 2024 election. The oath, although not mandatory, has been signed by candidates for decades, including Trump himself in both the 2020 and 2016 elections.

This news follows just days before the third anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, for which Trump is facing criminal charges. The omission of signing the loyalty oath marks a departure from his previous presidential campaigns. His decision not to sign the oath has sparked criticism from President Joe Biden's campaign, who condemned Trump for refusing to commit to upholding the Constitution and protecting the ideals outlined in it.

Biden campaign spokesman Michael Tyler expressed his concern, stating, "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."

The loyalty oath, a relic of the McCarthy era and rooted in the fear of communism, is divided into two parts. Firstly, candidates pledge that they are not affiliated with communist organizations. Secondly, they declare that they will not teach, advocate, or support the overthrow of the government by unlawful means. Although signing the oath is optional due to its unconstitutionality on free-speech grounds, Illinois lawmakers have retained it in state law.

The reasons behind Trump's decision not to sign the oath for the 2024 election cycle remain unclear. However, his choice has raised questions among his critics. Former Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who signed the loyalty oath during his terms in office, questioned why Trump would decline to sign it. Kinzinger wondered if legal concerns related to his actions during the January 6th insurrection influenced his decision.

While Trump's candidacy is being challenged in Illinois on grounds of potential disqualification under the 14th Amendment, which bars insurrectionists from seeking public office, his name has also been struck from the ballot in Colorado and Maine. Challenges against Trump in other states are pending, with the Supreme Court deciding to hear Trump's appeal of the Colorado Supreme Court's decision.

As the political landscape takes shape for the 2024 election, Trump's decision not to sign the loyalty oath highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding his conduct and the January 6th insurrection. It remains to be seen how this development will impact his campaign and the perception of his commitment to upholding democratic principles.