How Many Commandments Does Your Elected Officials Break Daily?

Does your local, state of federal politician use Ethics, Morals, or Religion in their platform, party campaign or marketing? If so, how many Commandments have they broken?

How would you rate your elected official on a scale on 1-to-10? Because there is a ranking system that has been in place for centuries called the Ten Commandments and many politicians market themselves as experts on their virtue.

During campaign season, it’s common for politicians to cloak themselves in morality. From invoking God at the podium to promising “faith-based leadership,” candidates often market themselves as ethical warriors — defenders of decency, tradition, and righteousness. But what happens when the very people who campaign on religious virtue violate the very commandments they quote?

The Ten Commandments are often seen as the foundational moral code of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Many politicians publicly pledge allegiance to them — but their records often tell a different story. This article examines how each commandment is violated in real-world political contexts, using real-life examples of elected officials at the local, state, and national levels.

The Ten Commandments in Politics: A Closer Look with Real-Life Examples

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Political Violation: When politicians prioritize party loyalty, personal ambition, or special interest groups over truth and service, they elevate “false gods” — not statues, but power, money, and reelection.

Real-Life Example:

• Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) has been criticized for prioritizing the fossil fuel industry — from which his family profits — over environmental regulations and his party’s broader climate agenda.

• Rep. George Santos (R-NY) prioritized self-image and political ambition over truth, inventing much of his résumé while campaigning on conservative, faith-driven values.

Impact: The worship of status or political power becomes more important than ethical governance, betraying public trust.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

Political Violation: Politicians often manufacture an image — of being a war hero, a small-town dad, or a devout Christian — that may not reflect reality.

Real-Life Example:

• Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) repeatedly suggested he served in Vietnam, when in fact he did not. His carefully cultivated “veteran” image was misleading.

• Sarah Palin, during her 2008 campaign, posed as an everywoman “hockey mom,” while concealing more extensive political calculation behind her persona.

Impact: False political images manipulate voters and distract from the candidate’s real character or performance.

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

Political Violation: Using God’s name to score political points while behaving contrary to religious teachings is a form of moral hypocrisy.

Real-Life Example:

• Roy Moore, the former Alabama Senate candidate, ran a faith-based campaign that invoked God frequently. Yet, he faced multiple credible allegations of sexual misconduct with minors — contradicting the very values he professed to uphold.

• Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) quoted Scripture while defending COVID restrictions that closed churches — but later dined maskless at an upscale restaurant, in violation of his own rules.

Impact: Invoking God while acting unethically erodes public respect for both religion and politics.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.