What president was not sworn in on a Bible?
Asked by: scraper | Last update: August 1, 2026Score: 0/5 (0 votes)
Several U.S. presidents did not swear on the Bible, as there is no constitutional requirement to use any religious text. The following leaders took the oath of office using other texts or no book at all:
How many presidents have not been sworn in with a Bible?
Theodore Roosevelt did not use the Bible when taking the oath in 1901, nor did John Quincy Adams, who swore on a book of law, with the intention that he was swearing on the Constitution. Lyndon B.
Have presidents always sworn in the Bible?
No, U.S. presidents have not always sworn in on the Bible. While George Washington began the tradition in 1789, it is a custom, not a constitutional requirement. Several presidents have broken this tradition, using law books or other texts, as no religious test is required for office.
Did Trump get sworn in with a Bible?
Yes, Donald Trump used Bibles during his swearing-in ceremonies, but for his 2025 inauguration (as the 47th president), he did not place his hand on them while taking the oath. He used two Bibles—his family Bible and the Lincoln Bible—but held his hand in the air instead of on them, following a similar pattern in 2017.
What Bible did Obama use to be sworn in?
Barack Obama swore his presidential oaths of office on three distinct Bibles across his two inaugurations:
Trump did not place hand on Bible for oath of office during his inauguration
Was Biden sworn in on a Bible?
Yes, Joe Biden was sworn in on a 5-inch thick 1893 family Bible during his inauguration on January 20, 2021. The Bible, which features a Celtic cross on the cover, has been used by Biden for all his, and his son Beau's, swearing-in ceremonies since 1973.
What is the Trump approved Bible?
The "Trump approved bible" refers to the God Bless the U.S.A. Bible (often called the Trump Bible), which Donald Trump officially endorsed and promoted.
What religion is Donald Trump and does he go to church?
He does not regularly attend church services. Nevertheless, throughout his political career Trump has made appeals to conservative Christianity and the Christian right, particularly evangelicals, and said in 2016 that he has "great relationships" with Christian ministers.
Who was the first president to be sworn in with a Bible?
George Washington was the first president to swear on the Bible during his inauguration on April 30, 1789. He set this precedent by placing his hand on a Bible borrowed from St. John's Lodge No. 1, Ancient York Masons, in New York City and kissing it after taking the oath.
Which church did Trump hold up the Bible in?
Following a five-minute walk from the White House, Trump arrived at St. John's Church at 7:06 p.m. His daughter, Ivanka, handed him a Bible which she carried there in her handbag. Trump turned the Bible over, and held it aloft as he stood in front of Ashburton House beside the church noticeboard.
Do you have to swear on the Bible to be sworn in?
No, you do not have to put your hand on a Bible when being sworn in. While it is a common tradition, there is no legal or constitutional requirement to use a Bible or any religious text. Officials can choose to "affirm" rather than "swear," and may use other books, such as a law book, or nothing at all.
What happens if a president breaks the oath?
eds., 2009) (essay by James Sullivan stating that if [the President] should presume to deviate from [his oath] he would be immediately arrested in his career and summoned to answer for his conduct before a federal court).
What Bible do they use to swear in the President of the United States?
The George Washington Inaugural Bible is the Bible that was sworn upon by George Washington when he took office as the first president of the United States on April 30, 1789. The Bible has subsequently been the oath book in the inauguration ceremonies of several other U.S. presidents.
Have any US presidents not been Christians?
While every U.S. president has identified with the Christian faith or heritage, several early and prominent presidents were not traditional, orthodox Christians. The most notable examples of non-traditional Christian or unaffiliated presidents include:
Does the president have to uphold the constitution?
Every branch of government has an equal responsibility to uphold the Constitution. When the Supreme Court or President veer off course, it is the job of Congress to counterbalance them.
What was Thomas Jefferson sworn in on?
The first inauguration of Thomas Jefferson as the third president of the United States was held on Wednesday, March 4, 1801.
Which president did not use the Bible to take the oath of office?
While the U.S. Constitution does not require the use of any religious text to take the presidential oath of office, several presidents have chosen to use alternative books or nothing at all:
Which Bible did Trump use to be sworn in?
History. Barack Obama using the Lincoln Bible (being held by Michelle Obama) to take the oath of office at his first inauguration on January 20, 2009 Donald Trump takes the oath of office on the Trump family Bible and the Lincoln Bible, January 20, 2017.
Which president was never elected?
Gerald Ford is the only U.S. president in history who was never elected to the office of either President or Vice President. He ascended to the presidency in August 1974 following Richard Nixon's resignation.
What is Trump's wife's religion?
First tenure as First Lady of the United States (2017–2021) Melania was the first naturalized citizen to become first lady and the second foreign-born woman to hold the title, after Louisa Adams, who was born in England. She was also the second Roman Catholic first lady of the United States, after Jacqueline Kennedy.
Who was the most religious president?
Historians and scholars routinely cite Jimmy Carter as the most religious U.S. president. The 39th president was open about his Southern Baptist faith, famously became the first commander-in-chief to describe himself as "born again", and dedicated much of his life to Christian principles.
What religion believes in God but not Jesus?
Several major religions and philosophical traditions believe in one supreme God but do not recognize Jesus as God, a savior, or a prophet. The most prominent of these include Judaism and Islam.
Is the president required to be sworn in on a Bible?
The Constitution does not say what the swearing-in must include. While most Presidents-elect chose a Bible, as George Washington did, John Quincy Adams used a book of law, and Teddy Roosevelt did not use any book.
Do the president and first lady have separate bedrooms in the White House?
Based on reports from People and author Kate Bennett, Donald and Melania Trump used separate bedrooms and floors in the White House, with Melania occupying a separate two-room suite. While separate rooms were historically common before the Ford administration, the Trumps' arrangement was unusual for modern presidential couples.
What book did Obama swear in on?
For his inaugurations, Barack Obama used historically significant bibles. In 2009, he was sworn in on the Abraham Lincoln Bible. For his 2013 inauguration, he used a stacked combination of the Lincoln Bible and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "traveling Bible".