Donald Trump has officially been sworn in for his second term as President of the United States. The ceremony took place at the Capitol, where Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office.

Trump Takes the Oath

Standing before the crowd, Trump solemnly swore, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” These words, which are specified in Article II, Section 1 of the US Constitution, mark the formal beginning of his second term in office.

Historical Context of the Oath

While the Constitution does not require the phrase “so help me God” in the presidential oath, it has been a longstanding tradition. Although there is no definitive evidence that George Washington actually uttered the words during his first inauguration, it is widely believed that he did, setting a precedent for future presidents. Notably, some presidents, such as Franklin Pierce and Herbert Hoover, opted to “affirm” rather than “swear” their oaths.

Handshake with Roberts and Biden

Following the oath, President Trump exchanged a handshake with Chief Justice Roberts, who has held his position since 2005. Trump also shook hands with former President Joe Biden, who smiled as the two briefly met during the historic moment.