WASHINGTON (Reuters) – US President Donald Trump took the oath of office on Monday with his right hand raised, but without placing his left hand on the two Bibles held by his wife Melania at his side.
This apparent omission has no practical impact, academics say, but it has sparked curiosity online. Despite the pomp of the inauguration and a bracing speech, the number one thing Americans Googled about Trump Monday afternoon was that he wasn’t getting his hands on the Bible, which contains the holy scriptures of Christians and Jews.
What a new president swears by, whether it’s a Bible, a historical document or nothing at all, is irrelevant to whether he comes to power, said Jeremi Suri, a professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin and an expert on the presidency.
“There is nothing in the Constitution that says the president has to connect this to God in any way,” he said. “The oath is taken to the Constitution.”
“I don’t think it has any bearing on him taking the oath.” He added that the Constitution allows a new president to take the oath or attest. America’s founding fathers “left the door open for someone who is an atheist,” Suri said.
Spokespeople for Trump did not respond to a request for comment.
Article Two of the U.S. Constitution states that a new president “shall take the following oath or affirmation: – I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will will do to the best of my ability. (OTC:), preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
Trump had chosen the Bible on which 16th President Abraham Lincoln was sworn in and the one given to Trump by his mother, his transition team said.