President Donald Trump made headlines during his inauguration on Monday by omitting a long-standing tradition—placing his hand on a Bible while taking the presidential oath.
Standing next to him, First Lady Melania Trump held two Bibles: one belonging to her husband, given to him by his mother, and the historic Lincoln Bible used by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861. But, as Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath, Trump raised his right hand without resting his left hand on either of the Bibles.
No Legal Requirement for Bible
This deviation sparked curiosity and debate, but it’s worth noting that there is no legal requirement to use a Bible during the swearing-in ceremony.
Article VI, Clause 3, of the U.S. Constitution specifies that officials must take an “oath or affirmation” to support the Constitution, explicitly stating that “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
During his first inauguration in 2017, Trump adhered to tradition, placing his hand on both the Lincoln Bible and his personal Bible as he took the oath of office.
However, this time, he chose a different approach.
Interestingly, Trump’s vice president, JD Vance, followed a more conventional route during his oath-taking earlier in the day. Vance placed his hand on a Bible held by his wife, Usha Vance, who also held one of their three children. The juxtaposition between the two oaths underscores the flexibility allowed in such ceremonies.
Religious Symbolism: Recurring Theme
Trump’s relationship with religious symbolism has been a recurring theme.
During his 2024 campaign, he endorsed the “God Bless the USA Bible,” inspired by Lee Greenwood’s patriotic ballad. Trump’s promotion of the Bible as part of his campaign efforts resonated with his religious supporters, and he encouraged Americans to “Make America Pray Again.”
The use of a Bible in inaugurations, while not legally required, carries profound symbolism.
For many, it reflects a leader’s commitment to moral governance and divine accountability. Placing a hand on the Bible is seen as an invocation of God’s guidance and blessing over a leader’s tenure.
Not All Followed Tradition
History shows, however, that not all presidents have followed this tradition.
John Quincy Adams, for instance, took the oath of office in 1825 while resting his hand on a law book. Theodore Roosevelt skipped using a Bible altogether in 1901 when he was sworn in after President William McKinley’s assassination. Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1963 oath aboard Air Force One utilized a Catholic missal rather than a Bible.
Trump’s decision to forego the Bible this time around was not the only dramatic element of his inauguration. In his speech, he reflected on surviving an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024. “Just a few months ago, in that beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear,” Trump said. “But I felt then, and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.”
The omission of the Bible during his oath adds another layer of intrigue to Trump’s presidency. It was signaling that he continues to chart his own course even in the most symbolic of moments.
Some view this as breaking tradition. Others see it as a reminder that the essence of the oath lies not in its outward symbols. It is in the commitment it represents—to uphold and protect the Constitution of the United States.
About The Author
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.