President Can Take Oath of Office Without Swearing on a Bible

Washington: So, President Trump took his oath of office on January 20, 2025, without placing his hand on a Bible. This isn’t a first, though. He’s the 47th president, and it turns out he’s not the only one to skip the Bible.

Some folks on social media were curious if he did it wrong. A reader named Ruth even reached out to ask about it. So, does the president have to swear on a Bible? The answer is no.

According to Article II of the U.S. Constitution, the president must swear an oath, but it doesn’t say anything about using a Bible. The only rule is that the oath has to happen at noon on January 20th when a new term starts.

While George Washington famously used a Bible, not every president has followed that tradition. For instance, John Quincy Adams took his oath in 1825 while reading a law book, and Theodore Roosevelt didn’t use a Bible at all in 1901.

So, there you have it! The VERIFY team is here to help clear up any confusion. If you want to stay updated, consider subscribing to their newsletter or following them on social media.