Statement from ANPR Following the Events in DC

On January 6th, I was disgusted to see the lawlessness and disorder around and in our nation’s Capitol. Besides the sad spectacle of watching lawmakers run for cover, I was shaken as violent protestors assaulted federal staff and defiled our halls of government. The protestors’ unpardonable behavior constituted an attack not only on the Capitol Building but also on our government and our democracy.

Every Federal employee swears an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and I know thousands of park rangers are faithfully discharging that duty today.

It’s because I know that oath is vital to rangers in every park that I wanted to write on behalf of the Association of National Park Rangers to express gratitude to National Park Service staff across the United States and especially in Washington, D.C. who are sacrificing to fulfill it.

The work rangers do is essential to maintaining our national parks and our democracy. We all owe a debt to rangers who put themselves in harm’s way to justly enforce the law and contribute to the preservation, protection, and defense of our country’s most treasured places.

Paul Anderson
President
Association of National Park Rangers

The Civil Service Oath of Office

“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.”