The 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump, will select two Bibles for his swearing-in ceremony—a decision reflecting both history and personal importance. His first inauguration in 2017 also saw the two Bibles employed. Though the other bible is a private present from Trump’s mother in 1955, one Bible that was used during Abraham Lincoln’s 1861 inauguration is a well-known representation of presidential oaths. Trump’s inauguration committee said that the choice of these Bibles reflects his dedication to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. ”
Trump is not the first to have two Bibles during swearing-in. Presidents such as Harry S. define Dwight D., Truman Eisenhower, Richard M. Like Nixon and Barack Obama, they have gone ” With its crimson, velvet-bound cover, the Lincoln Bible rose to historical significance after it was used at Lincoln’s inauguration; his family Bible had been unavailable.
Given to him by his mother after he finished Sunday school, Trump‘s personal Bible is a 1953 Revised Standard Version. As his inaugural committee points out, the Bible—the one with Trump’s name embossed on it—stands for a significant personal link.
Similarly, in a tradition Vice President Elect JD Vance will read from a King James Bible handed down from his mother’s side. When he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003, his great-grandmother presented him with this specific Bible.
Though presidents must take the oath of office, there is no requirement to use a Bible or any book at all. George Washington, who established the custom, started the practice of using a Bible. Many presidents since then have followed suit by using family Bibles. There have been some exceptions, though; in 1825 John Quincy Adams swore upon a law book. Lyndon B. was also treated much the same way. Following JFK’s murder, Johnson took his oath aboard Air Force One using a Roman Catholic missal.
