Trump To Use Two Historic Bibles At Swearing-In Ceremony
President-elect Donald Trump will use two very significant Bibles to take his oath of office this Monday in a ceremony steeped in tradition and symbolic gestures.
According to Fox News, The inauguration will see Trump sworn in using both his personal childhood Bible and the storied Lincoln Bible.
Trump's mother gave him the personal Bible he will use in 1955 to commemorate his graduation from Sunday Church Primary School at the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, New York. Thomas Nelson and Sons published this Revised Standard Version Bible in 1953, embossing Trump's name on the front cover.
The Historical Significance Of The Lincoln Bible
The Lincoln Bible holds a place of profound historical significance in American politics. President Abraham Lincoln first used this Bible during his inauguration in 1861, and several other presidents, including President Obama and Trump himself in 2017, have used it in their inaugurations.
Both Bibles symbolize deep personal and national histories, emphasizing the importance of tradition and continuity in American presidential inaugurations. Presidents often choose the Lincoln Bible to highlight a connection to Lincoln's principles and legacy.
Inauguration Day Aligns With MLK Day
The inauguration's timing holds symbolic significance, as it coincides with the federal holiday honoring Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., an icon of civil rights and justice. A bust of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at the ceremony will reinforce this sentiment, intertwining the legacies of patriotism and civil rights.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath of office to Trump, with Trump's family—his wife Melania and his children Barron, Ivanka, Eric, and Tiffany—in attendance. This moment underscores the gravity and ceremonial nature of the presidential inauguration.
Venue And Attendees For The Ceremony
The organizers have scheduled the ceremony to take place at the West front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., a site that has hosted many historic events in American governance. They chose this venue to emphasize the continuity and stability of the U.S. political system.
Dignitaries, family members, and citizens are expected to gather in vast numbers, making the event a momentous day not only for Trump but also for the nation as it celebrates the democratic tradition of the peaceful transfer of power.
Significance Of The Two Bibles In The Ceremony
Returning to the choice of Bibles, the personal Bible gifted by his mother not only signifies the personal faith and journey of Trump but also connects the incoming president to his roots and early life in New York. The inscriptions and signatures from church officials within this Bible capture a moment in time that was pivotal to Trump's upbringing.
On the other hand, the Lincoln Bible offers a broader, national historical connection, having been part of a tradition that spans several administrations and underscores the enduring principles upon which the nation was founded. Its repeated use is a testament to its significance as a symbol of continuity and unity in U.S. presidential history.
The Oath-Taking Ceremony With Historic Undertones
The dual use of these Bibles not only reflects on Trump's personal and political journey but also binds together various threads of American heritage and values. The ceremony, therefore, is not just about the swearing-in of a new president but also about reaffirming the commitments and ideals of the United States.
As the nation looks forward to witnessing another chapter in its democratic journey, the inauguration of President-elect Trump using these two historic Bibles will surely be remembered as a moment of significant symbolic importance.