In any case, most modern presidents — Biden, Obama, and even Trump during his first oath — have indeed placed their hand upon the Bible, despite there being no requirement to do so.

According to The White House Historical Association, President George Washington was the first to take an oath on April 30, 1789, with his hand on the Bible.

The longstanding tradition of taking the presidential oath with one hand on a Bible stretches back to George Washington and was observed by Mr. Trump in 2017. But doing so is not a requirement.

Trump, who is the oldest person to be sworn in as president of the U.S., did not place his left hand on the Bibles being held by his wife, Melania Trump. Oath of office started as family was ...

President Donald Trump did not place his hand on the Bible as he took the oath of office during his inauguration on Monday. First lady Melania Trump stood next to the president holding two Bibles ...

President Donald Trump takes the oath of office on Jan. 20 without placing his hand on a Bible. Morry Gash - Pool/Getty While it is customary for presidents and vice presidents to place their ...

The U.S. Constitution does not stipulate that a president-to-be place his or her hand on a Bible when taking the Oath, because each president who recites this oath or affirmation is “bound” by ...