Eagle-eye onlookers were quick to notice President Donald Trump did not have his hand on the Bible when he took the oath of office Monday.
First lady Melania Trump held two Bibles and stood next to Trump as he was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States.
But as he was administered the oath by Chief Justice John Roberts, Trump did not place his hand on either Bible, ABC News reported.
Melania Trump was holding two Bibles — one her husband’s mother gave him, and the Lincoln Bible President Abraham Lincoln used to take the oath of office in 1861.
However, there is no legal requirement for a hand to be placed on a Bible when an official is being sworn in.
Article VI, Clause 3, of the U.S. Constitution states officials are bound “by oath or affirmation” to support the Constitution.
“But,” it continues, “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States,” per the outlet.
During his inauguration speech, Trump spoke of God protecting his life after he was shot during a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July.
“Just a few months ago, in that beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear,” Trump said. “But I felt then, and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.”
Many people took to X to hypothesize the significance of Trump not putting his hand on the Bible.
