Why US President-Elect Donald Trump Will Use Two Bibles For His Oath Of Office?

President-elect Donald Trump will take his oath of office on Monday, January 20, with his hand placed on two Bibles, marking the culmination of the 60th Presidential Inauguration.

The Story Behind Trump's Dual Bibles for Swearing-In Ceremony

One of the Bibles holds deep personal significance for Trump. It was gifted to him by his mother in 1955 to commemorate his graduation from Sunday Church Primary School at First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, New York. According to a statement from Trump's inaugural committee, the Bible is a 1953 Revised Standard Version published by Thomas Nelson and Sons in New York. The cover bears Trump's name embossed on its lower portion, while the inside includes signatures of church officials, an inscription of Trump's name, and the date of its presentation.

Alongside this sentimental Bible, Trump will also use the historic Lincoln Bible, which was first used in 1861 for the inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln. Trump's team noted that the burgundy velvet-bound book, part of the Library of Congress collections, has been used only three times since Lincoln's swearing-in: by President Barack Obama during both of his inaugurations and by Trump himself in 2017 for his first term.

The use of two Bibles is not unprecedented. In 2013, President Obama also took the oath of office on two Bibles-one owned by Martin Luther King Jr. and the other being the Lincoln Bible.

During the swearing-in ceremony, which will take place inside the Capitol rotunda, Trump will face a bust of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a poignant symbol on the federal holiday honoring the civil rights leader's legacy.

Personal Touch from Vice President-elect JD Vance

Vice President-elect JD Vance will take his oath on a King James Bible which was presented to him in 2003 by his maternal great-grandmother, affectionately called "Mamaw" Bonnie. As per the reports, the Vice President-elect was presented with the Bible before he left at Parris Island, South Carolina for Marine Corps recruit training.

Is It Mandatory To Use a Bible?

The answer is 'no'. The U.S. Constitution mandates the presidential oath of office but does not require the use of a Bible or any specific text. It all started with George Washington, who used a family Bible for his inauguration.

• Popular Choices: Presidents like Warren G. Harding, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush have used Washington's Bible.
• Notable Exceptions: John Quincy Adams swore in on a law book in 1825 to emphasize his commitment to the Constitution, while Lyndon B. Johnson took the oath aboard Air Force One using a Roman Catholic missal after President Kennedy's assassination in 1963.

Trump's decision to include both the Lincoln Bible and his mother's gift underscores the blend of personal and historical significance at the heart of this American tradition. By incorporating these two meaningful items, Trump bridges a connection to the nation's storied past and his own journey of faith and family values.