Who botched the oath of office?
Chief Justice John Roberts botched the oath of office. Barack Obama handled the situation with graceful aplomb. From my live-blogging: The Chief Justice in fact screwed up the oath. The Constitution requires: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ...
Who messed up the oath of office?
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Four years ago, John Roberts blew it. In his debut at swearing in the next president, the Supreme Court chief justice stumbled over the oath at Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony.
Who usually gives the oath of office?
The oath of office of the president of the United States is the oath or affirmation that the president of the United States takes upon assuming office. The wording of the oath is specified in Article II, Section One, Clause 8, of the United States Constitution, and a new president must take it before exercising or carrying out any official powers or duties.
Who administerd oath of office to Lyndon B. Johnson?
Two years into her tenure as a federal district judge, on November 22, 1963, Hughes was called upon to administer the oath of office to Lyndon B. Johnson after the assassination of President Kennedy, a task usually performed by the Chief Justice of the United States.
What is the oath of office?
Most inauguration days continue to be festive events celebrated by traditional ceremonies, parades, and balls, but it is the oath of office that reigns as the highlight . The oath is in fact the only part of our elaborate inaugural ceremonies and celebrations that is required by the Constitution. Article II, Section 1 provides the short—but imperative—oath that every president beginning with George Washington has sworn to: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Every single president has stated these same words to swear his duty to the country and the Constitution, whether he was elected or required to assume the presidency following a president’s death or resignation.
Who took the oath of office in Philadelphia?
James Monroe was the first president to take the oath of office outdoors in Washington, D.C. After Washington swore his first oath of office before the city of New York from the balcony of Federal Hall in 1789, all subsequent inaugural oaths were sworn indoors until 1817. Washington swore his second oath of office in the Senate Chamber of Congress Hall in Philadelphia. John Adams swore the oath of office in the Hall of the House of Representatives in Philadelphia’s Federal Hall before a joint session of Congress. For both of his inaugurations Thomas Jefferson swore his oath in the new Senate Chamber of the partially built Capitol building in Washington, D.C. And James Madison was administered the oath of office in the Hall of the House of Representatives in the Capitol.
Why did Pierce affirm the oath?
It is unclear exactly why Pierce chose to affirm the oath. Some historians note that Pierce’s religious beliefs may have have deemed swearing the oath unethical. Others note that the tragic death of Pierce’s son soon after he was elected may have triggered his desire to “affirm” rather than “swear” the oath.
What does the inauguration day mean?
Regarding the remarkable significance of this uniquely peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next, historian Jim Bendat writes in Democracy’s Big Day, “Our Inauguration Day is one that demonstrates the continuity of our country and the renewal of the democratic process, as well as the healing that is sometimes needed after an election battle.”
How long did the inauguration last?
The inauguration of the new country’s first president provided the perfect incentive for a large-scale celebration that lasted over two weeks and spanned nearly three hundred miles from the coast of Virginia to America’s first capital, New York City.
Why is the first presidential inauguration celebrated?
America Celebrates Its First Presidential Inauguration. With the United States finally at peace and a bold new Constitution leading the road to a democratic future, the American people were ready for a celebration. The inauguration of the new country’s first president provided the perfect incentive for a large-scale celebration ...
Where did Jefferson swear his oath?
For both of his inaugurations Thomas Jefferson swore his oath in the new Senate Chamber of the partially built Capitol building in Washington, D.C. And James Madison was administered the oath of office in the Hall of the House of Representatives in the Capitol.
Who administers the oath of office?
While the Constitution does not stipulate who should administer the oath to the president, this is typically done by the Chief Justice of the United States. Constitutional law experts agree that the oath could also be administered by a judge or official of the lower federal courts.
What is the oath of office?
The oath is worded and administered in accordance with Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution, which requires that “Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:”. Of the three clauses in the Constitution that mention oaths of office, this is the only one that contains ...
What About the Vice President's Oath?
Under current federal law, the Vice President of the United States recites a different oath of office as follows:
How many ways has the presidential oath been administered?
Over the years, the presidential oath has been administered in two ways.
Where was the oath ceremony held?
By far the most tragically bizarre presidential oath ceremony occurred aboard Air Force One at Love Field in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963, when President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in hours after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy .
When did George Washington say the oath of office?
our editorial process. Facebook Facebook. Robert Longley. Updated June 27, 2020. Since George Washington first said the words on April 30, 1789, as prompted by Robert Livingston Chancellor of State of New York, every President of the United States has repeated the following simple presidential oath of office as part of the inauguration ceremony: ...
Which clause in the Constitution says "on oath"?
Under Article I, Section 3, Senators, when assembled as a court of impeachment, do so “on Oath or affirmation.”. Article VI, Clause 3 has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to mean that all federal ...
America Celebrates Its First Presidential Inauguration
The Oath of Office Signals The Transfer of Power
- Most inauguration days continue to be festive events celebrated by traditional ceremonies, parades, and balls, but it is the oath of office that reigns as the highlight. The oath is in fact the only part of our elaborate inaugural ceremonies and celebrations that is required by the Constitution. Article II, Section 1provides the short—but imperative—oath that every president be…
Washington’s Inauguration Established Long-Lasting Traditions
- Soon after his inauguration, Washington wrote, “I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.” With no guidelines having been prescribed in the Constitution for a presidential inauguration, many of Washington’s inaugural actions have served as precedents that continue to be followed by most of his succes…
to Swear Or to Affirm?
- The Constitution does allow a president the choice of swearing or affirming the oath of office, but only one president—Franklin Pierce—chose to affirm his oath. It is unclear exactly why Pierce chose to affirm the oath. Some historians note that Pierce’s religious beliefs may have have deemed swearing the oath unethical. Others note that the tragic...
Modern Inaugural Ceremony Highlights
- Presidential inaugurations used to be celebrated on March 4, but Congress moved the date to January 20 when they ratified the Twentieth Amendment in 1933. The four-month delay between election and inauguration was needed in the early years of our country, but modern communication and transportation enabled newly elected administrations to assume power in …
Historical Moments
- Though tradition plays a dominant role in presidential inaugural ceremonies, special circumstances and personal preferences sometimes compel changes. 1. John Adams was the first president to receive the oath of office from the chief justice. Washington was not sworn in by the chief justice at his first inauguration because the Supreme Court had not yet been establishe…
Tragedy Necessitates Speed and Improvisation
- Following the death of a president, it is critical that power be transferred immediately to the successor. Many vice presidents have therefore been sworn in as president under unusual circumstances. 1. President William Henry Harrison died just thirty-one days after his inauguration, thrusting Vice President John Tyler into the presidency. Tyler swore the oath of off…
Read More
- Read the original text of the Constitution, including the presidential oath of office in Article II.
- Review the dates and locations at which each president swore the oath of office at: Memory.loc.gov.
- And read the story of presidential and vice presidential succession in this article on this website “A Heartbeat Away: The Story of Presidential and Vice Presidential Succession.”
Reference Sources
- Books Bendat, Jim. Democracy’s Big Day: The Inauguration of Our President1789-2009. New York: iUniverse Star, 2008. Hess, Stephen. What Do We Do Now? A Workbook for the President-Elect. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2008. Santella, Andrew. U.S. Presidential Inaugurations. New York: Children’s Press, 2002. Wagner, Heather Lehr. The Presidency. New Yo…