By Douglas V. Gibbs
The enemies of liberty and the Constitution love to create controversy where there is none, especially when it comes to Donald J. Trump and any of his allies. Images have circulated around the internet showing that during his swearing in, while Melania was holding the Bible that Donald Trump had requested, his hand was not actually on the Bible while the oath was being administered.
Context is everything.
The truth is that Chief Justice John Roberts, who seemed to be in a hurry, began the oath before Melania arrived at her husband’s side with the Bible for him to place his hand on. The presence of the Bible shows that Trump had every intention of using the Bible for the ceremony, and he did in fact place his hand on a Bible during his inauguration back in 2017, but in 2025 he got sidetracked thanks to Roberts beginning to administer the oath before the Bible’s arrival.
Constitutionally, the Bible is not required. It is a part of tradition. Not every President has used a Bible for their oath. John Quincy Adams (6th President) was sworn in using a law book. Theodore Roosevelt (26th President) simply raised his hand, placing his hand on no document or book. Lyndon B. Johnson (36th President) was sworn in on Air Force One using a Roman Catholic missal.
In each case the swearing of the oath was constitutional.
George Washington began the tradition of using a Bible, and saying, “So help me God,” but it is not a legal requirement. Nothing in the Constitution mandates the use of a Bible for the oath of office.
— Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
