Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump took the oath of office on Monday with his right hand raised, but without resting his left hand on the two Bibles held by his wife, Melania Trump. The decision, intentional or not, sparked significant online interest but holds no constitutional or legal implications, according to scholars.
Online Curiosity Overlooked Legal Context
Despite the ceremonial grandeur and a speech outlining his vision, the most searched topic related to Trump on Google that day revolved around his omission of the traditional gesture involving the Bible. The two Bibles in question included one used by Abraham Lincoln during his swearing-in and another gifted to Trump by his mother, according to his transition team.
As per a Reuters report, Jeremi Suri, a presidential scholar and history professor at the University of Texas, Austin, clarified that what a president swears on—or whether they choose to swear on anything at all—does not affect the validity of the oath. “There’s nothing in the Constitution that says the president has to connect this to God in any way,” Suri explained.
The Constitution explicitly allows the president to either swear or affirm their oath, a provision designed by the founding fathers to accommodate diverse beliefs. “The oath is to the Constitution,” Suri added. “I don’t think it has any bearing on him taking the oath.” This flexibility even permits the possibility of an atheist president, as affirmed by the Constitution’s language.
President Donald Trump took the oath of office without placing his left hand on the two Bibles his wife Melania held. While the oversight had no practical impact, it sparked curiosity online https://t.co/zXqVpd9dE7 pic.twitter.com/KJtuYX4tXS
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 21, 2025
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The Constitutional Requirements
Article Two of the U.S. Constitution outlines the presidential oath:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
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By completing this recitation, Trump lawfully assumed the presidency, regardless of whether his hand rested on the Bibles held by his wife. The Trump administration did not provide an official explanation for the deviation from tradition.
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While the incident prompted speculation and online discussion, it has no legal bearing on Trump’s ability to serve as president. The Constitution’s inclusivity in this matter reflects the diverse religious and non-religious landscape of the United States.
