Why Most U.S. Presidents Take the Oath of Office With a Hand on the Bible
Some presidents did not use a Bible to take the oath of office, including Theodore Roosevelt, who did not use anything when he was sworn into office in 1901, and John Quincy Adams, who chose a legal book for his 1825 swearing-in, to signify his responsibility to uphold the U.S. constitutional law.
Oath and tradition: Unveiling the history behind President Trump's choice of Bibles for his Inauguration
There are so many traditions on Inauguration Day, but only one is required by law, and that is saying the Oath of Office. Taking the Oath with your hand on a book According to the U.S. Department of State,
Rumor Has It Trump Took Oath of Office Without Placing Hand on Bible. We Checked the Footage
Legally speaking, it doesn't matter whether the U.S. president placed his hand on a bible. And he wouldn't be the first not to.
Historic Bibles and the oath: Here are some of the traditions you may see at Donald Trump's inauguration
President Trump didn’t swear on a Bible at his inauguration. Is it a requirement?
Donald Trump is president. Here's what he's already changing.
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Is a Bible required to take the Oath of Office?
Although it's done so often it seems like rule, is there a requirement to use a Bible during a swearing-in ceremony?
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No, the president does not have to swear the oath of office on a Bible
President Trump didn't place his hand on a Bible when he took his oath of office on Jan. 20, 2025. He’s not the first president to swear the oath without doing so.
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Oath of office has been administered 73 times to only 46 presidents
Donald Trump became the 47th American president on Monday, but the oath of office itself has been administered 73 times before to the 46 preceding chief executives. According to the Architect of the Capitol,
Trump took oath of office without his hand on the Bible
During his oath, Trump did not place his hand atop the Bible, a moment that quickly took over on social media as people watching at home took notice. #BREAKING: Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/VywxkH9E4D
Who reads the oath of office to the incoming president and vice president?
The chief justice of the Supreme Court traditionally reads the oath of office to the incoming president, but the vice president has more flexibility.
What to know about the Bible Trump used at his inauguration
Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump holds the Bible during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 20, 2025. (Photo by Morry Gash / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MORRY GASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump doesn't place hand on Bible during swearing-in
President Donald Trump did not place his hand on the Bible as he took the oath of office during his inauguration on Monday. First lady Melania Trump stood next to the president holding two Bibles, but the 47th president of the United States didn't place his hand on either as he raised his right hand to take the presidential oath,