During his inauguration on Monday, President Donald Trump appeared to forget to put his hand on the Bibles he brought for the swearing-in ceremony, instead leaving his left arm by his side.

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.

Some presidents did not use a Bible to take the oath of office, including Theodore Roosevelt, who did not use anything when ...

Although it's done so often it seems like rule, is there a requirement to use a Bible during a swearing-in ceremony?

Theodore Roosevelt — who was sworn in at the Buffalo, New York, home of his friend Ansley Wilcox in 1901 after President William McKinley was assassinated — did not use any book at all. Lyndon B.

(Interestingly, there is also no stipulation that the oath of office end with “so help me God,” though ... Kennedy’s assassination — he placed his hand on a Catholic missal (a book containing text ...

President Theodore Roosevelt also did not use a Bible when he swore his oath of office in 1901, the JCCIC says. In fact, Roosevelt didn’t swear over any book at all.

Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration raised eyebrows when he took the oath of office without placing his hand on a Bible, a long-standing tradition for U.S. presidents.

A select number of presidents have not sworn on the Bible, which was more common in earlier chapters of American history when ...

From historic Bibles to the leading role of the country's chief justice, Inauguration Day has been filled with traditions.

Readers of the Baron de Montesquieu’s “The Spirit of Laws” — they cited no book but the Bible more ... into federal service at all, that oath of office is still with us, for public ...

Trump took the oath of office on Monday immediately after Vice President JD Vance was sworn in by Associate Supreme Court ...