Donald Trump takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump look on during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Despite social media attention, the Constitution protects freedom of religion. So putting a hand on a Bible, or even using one at all, isn't required.
Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the constitutionally mandated 35-word oath to President-elect Donald Trump.
Donald Trump raised his right hand while placing his left hand on the Bible Monday afternoon. He then took the oath of office and was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.
Images from the inauguration show President Trump did not put his hand on a Bible as he was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. It is not required in the Constitution.
Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, taking the oath without placing his hand on the Bible
Donald Trump has been sworn in Monday as the 47th President of the United States. Along with him, Ohio's own JD Vance has been sworn in as the next vice president.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh will administer the oath of office to Vice President-elect JD Vance. Trump tapped Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court in 2018. Vance will be sworn in first.
While the Constitution does not specify who must administer oaths, Chief Justice John Roberts is expected to swear in Donald Trump on Monday, continuing a two-century-old tradition.
The swearing-in ceremony for Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States took place indoors at the Capitol Rotunda due to freezing weather. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to President Trump.
Theodore Roosevelt did not use a Bible when he was sworn in following the death of President William McKinley in 1901. Lyndon Johnson had his hand on a Catholic missal, or prayer book, when he took the oath aboard Air Force One after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.