Donald Trump to follow in Barack Obama's footsteps with historic inauguration move first used in 1861
WASHINGTON, DC: President-elect Donald Trump is all set to follow former president Barack Obama's footsteps in doing a historic inauguration move that was first used in 1861.
Trump will make a statement at his swearing-in ceremony on Monday, January 20, as he will lay his hands upon two Bibles while taking the oath of office. The move was used by former president Abraham Lincoln and most recently by Barack Obama in 2013 for his second inauguration.
Donald Trump to lay hands on two Bibles while taking oath
Notably, Donald Trump's decision to have two Bibles also brings in an added layer of personal meaning as he will also be using a Bible steeped in family sentiment, according to Daily Mail.
One of the Bibles that Trump will be using carries personal significance as it was given to him by his mother in 1955 to commemorate his graduation from First Presbyterian Church Sunday School in Jamaica, New York, the outlet mentioned.
The choice to have two Bibles during oath reflects the president-elect's self-professed grounding in faith and tradition, offering a rare glimpse into his formative years.
Trump stated in a press release from his inaugural committee, "Marking this moment with my mother's Bible honors her legacy and reminds me of the spiritual guidance I carry to this day."
Notably, the other Bible is the iconic Lincoln Bible, a velvet-bound artifact first used in 1861 to inaugurate Abraham Lincoln as the 16th President of the US.
The Bible has only been used three times since Lincoln's inauguration - by President Obama in both 2009 and 2013 and by Trump himself in 2017 and is currently preserved as part of the Library of Congress collection, Daily Mail reported.
Interestingly, the Trump team described the Lincoln Bible as "a symbol of continuity and strength that reflects the enduring values of the American people."
Donald Trump's memorable inauguration ceremony
Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the US on Monday, marking his second term in office. The ceremony will also see Vice President-elect JD Vance taking the oath of office for the first time.
Notably, the inauguration will be held indoors due to freezing temperatures in DC.
The inaugural events will begin at 11.30 am EST on Monday with Donald Trump scheduled to take the presidential oath at 12 pm EST.
The day would start with a service at St John’s Episcopal Church, located on Lafayette Square near the White House. It will be followed by the customary tea gathering at the White House, attended by the president-elect, Melania Trump, outgoing President Joe Biden, and First Lady Jill Biden.
Then a musical prelude would take place by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Combined Choirs and 'The President’s Own' US Marine Band, per CBS News.
During the opening invocation, Senator Amy Klobuchar would call the ceremony to order. Timothy Cardinal Dolan and Reverend Franklin Graham would deliver the invocation. Then, Opera singer Christopher Macchio will perform 'Oh, America!'
It will be followed by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh administering the oath of office to Vice President-elect JD Vance. Soon after, Carrie Underwood, along with the Armed Forces Chorus and the US Naval Academy Glee Club, would perform 'America the Beautiful'.
After that, Chief Justice John Roberts would administer the presidential oath of office to Donald Trump and the Glee Club would also present 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic'.
Soon after the swearing-in, Trump would deliver his inaugural address as the 47th President of the United States.
After the address, a benediction will be given by a group of religious leaders, including Rabbi Dr Ari Berman, Imam Husham Al-Husainy, and Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, per the outlet.
The event would conclude with the National Anthem, performed by Christopher Macchio.
