08/18/2026
AN OATH ISN’T JUST WORDS
When I took my oath of office as an elected Pennsylvania State Constable, I swore to support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and to discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.
That oath does not become optional when defending constitutional principles is inconvenient.
At a recent Oxford Borough Council meeting, I stood up and objected when a member of the public was prevented from completing her public comment, her microphone was shut off, and she was escorted from the meeting. When I voiced my objection, I was threatened with removal as well.
My objection wasn’t about agreeing or disagreeing with what was being said. Constitutional rights mean very little if we defend them only when we agree with the person exercising them.
The First Amendment protects the right of citizens to criticize their government. Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act exists to ensure that government conducts the people’s business openly and provides the public a meaningful opportunity to be heard.
Council has the authority to maintain order and establish lawful, reasonable rules for its meetings. But government officials must also respect the constitutional rights of the people they represent.
I will not remain silent simply because speaking up might be uncomfortable or unpopular.
I swore an oath to support and defend our Constitutions. There was no exception in that oath for Borough Council meetings.
Whether you agree with me politically is irrelevant. Whether you agree with the speaker is irrelevant.
The Constitution belongs to all of us.
And as long as I hold public office, I will continue to stand for the constitutional rights and liberties I swore an oath to support and defend.
James T. Schaeffer-Patton
Elected Pennsylvania State Constable
Oxford Borough
I will post my speech to Council on 8/17/26 below in the comments.
