Trump neglects to put his hand on Bible while swearing in

Several Americans wondered why US President-elect Donald Trump did not hold the Bible during his swearing-in to begin his second term as head of the United States. Whether the act was intentional or not, it raised questions about the traditional role of the Bible in the inauguration.

It is a traditions in the US that upcoming presidents place their hand on a Bible while taking the oath of office; however, it is not a legal requirement.

Article VI of the US Constitution stated that "all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."

It was noted in the ceremony that First Lady Melania held two Bibles, one given to Trump by his mother in childhood and another Lincoln Bible, which was used at Abraham Lincoln's 1861 inauguration. 

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Robert directed President Trump to raise his right hand and repeat after him. Just before the commencement of the oath-taking ceremony.

Mrs Trump attempted to approach him with a Bible, arriving next to her husband, but she could not give him the scripture. 

“I was saved by God to make America great,” Donald Trump said while referencing the assassination attempt during his election campaign.

Apart from this, Vice President JD Vance placed his hand on the family Bible, given to him by his great-grandmother, while taking the oath of office on Monday.

It is pertinent to mention here that in his first oath-taking ceremony in 2017, Trump placed his hand on the family Bible, according to Trump’s inaugural committee.