Does the President have to put their hand on the Bible? Trump’s inauguration oath explained

DONALD Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, January 20, 2025.

In an apparent break with inauguration tradition, Trump did not place his hand on the Bible — but is it a requirement?

Donald Trump's inauguration

President Trump raised some eyebrows by not placing his left hand on the Bible while taking the oath of office.

Instead, he raised his right hand and his left arm remained down by his side as Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts addressed him.

The Bible did have a role in the ceremonial moment, however.

First Lady Melania Trump stood next to her husband holding not one, but two Bibles.

Both the books held their own significance, with one being a gift from his mother and the other being the historic Lincoln Bible.

It is not known whether Trump decided to not place his hand on the Bible or whether he forgot, but he did do so during his inauguration in 2017.

Is it a requirement for the President to put his hand on the Bible?

The short answer is no, and it is not a legal requirement to use a Bible at all.

Article VI Clause 3 of the US Constitution states that those being sworn into office must be bound "by oath of affirmation".

However, it clarifies that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States".

The use of a Bible in inauguration ceremonies was a tradition that began with George Washington's presidency in 1798.

This set a precedent for future presidents to be sworn in by placing their hand on the holy book, but there have been exceptions.

John Quincy Adams used a legal book for his swearing-in in 1825, and Theodore Roosevelt did not use anything to take his 1901 oath of office.