In an unprecedented choice, President-elect Donald Trump will use two historic Bibles for his swearing-in ceremony.
According to Fox News, This marks his second inauguration as he takes the oath to become the 47th President of the United States.
The event will occur at the U.S. Capitol's West Front on January 20, 2017. It is a significant setting that faces the bust of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., symbolizing a bridge between America's past and future aspirations.
One of the Bibles is a gift from Donald Trump's mother, received upon his graduation from Sunday Church Primary School at First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, New York in 1955. Embellished with Trump's name, this 1953 revised standard version holds sentimental value and includes signatures and an inscription by church officials.
The second Bible, known as the Lincoln Bible, holds profound historical significance. President Abraham Lincoln first used it during his 1861 inauguration, and several other presidential inaugurations have used it since, linking Trump’s administration with a notable precedent of American leadership.
Regarding the historical significance of the Lincoln Bible, Trump's team highlighted, “It has only been used three times since, by President Obama at each of his inaugurations and by President Trump at his first inauguration in 2017." This underscores a tradition spanning multiple administrations, emphasizing continuity in American presidential history.
The oath of office will be administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. This formal procedure is central to the presidential inauguration, as it legally marks the commencement of a new presidential term.
In a family-centered gesture, Trump's wife, Melania Trump, will hold the Bibles during the ceremony. Their children Barron, Ivanka, Eric, and Tiffany will closely witness this moment, as they will also attend the landmark event.
The choice of such historically and personally significant Bibles underscores the gravity and ceremonial depth of the inauguration. Both Bibles not only represent key aspects of Trump’s personal history but also the broader American historical narrative, from Lincoln’s era to today.
The selection of the location at the Capitol’s rotunda, near the Martin Luther King Jr. bust, adds a layer of civic reverence and historical acknowledgment to the ceremony. This setting resonates with themes of unity and the enduring struggle for civil rights in America.
The use of two Bibles—one deeply personal and the other broadly symbolic of American endurance—highlights Donald Trump’s intent to honor both his legacy and the country's rich historical tapestry.
This inauguration not only marks the beginning of Trump's term but also reflects on the threads of continuity within the American presidency. The use of the Lincoln Bible, in particular, has become a symbol of resilience, hope, and the unbroken continuity of American governance through its challenges and triumphs.
On January 20, 2017, Donald Trump will take the oath for his second term, using two significant Bibles in the ceremony: one from his personal history and another from America's collective heritage. This event at the Capitol, emphasized by historical symbols and personal artifacts, encapsulates a moment of transition and reflection for the United States.
