Since Donald Trump won the elections last November, the world’s eyes have been on him. On January 20, he was officially inaugurated as president of the United States for a second term, and one of the things (or all) that caught the most attention was that he did not take the oath with his hand on the Bible, raising a series of questions.
Is it a requirement to swear on the Bible?
Traditionally, during the inauguration ceremony, presidents who will move into the White House place their hand on a Bible. However, it is not a legal requirement.
According to Article VI of the United States Constitution, it states that “all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States”.
At the swearing-in ceremony, the first lady Melania Trump held two Bibles: one that Trump's mother gave him as a child and Lincoln's Bible, which was used during Abraham Lincoln's inauguration in 1861.
John Roberts, Chief Justice, told Trump to repeat what he was saying with his right hand as the first lady approached with both Bibles. Just as the moment began to be recited, Melania Trump arrived. The president's right hand was raised and his left hand was at his side.
Trump said that God "saved him."
His first comments made references to God as he was sworn in as the 47th president.
"God saved me to make America great again," he said in his inaugural speech, referring to the assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.