To announce that there must be no criticism of the President - Theodore Roosevelt

Hello, I am Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States.

One of my most enduring beliefs is encapsulated in this statement:

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public and to the U S constitution."

These words are a reminder that patriotism does not mean blind allegiance, nor does loyalty to a leader override the higher loyalty we owe to principles, to truth, and to the public good. When I said this, it was in the context of a democracy—a system that thrives only when its citizens are active, informed, and unafraid to question authority.