Did JD Vance Put His Hand on the Bible? A Look at the 2025 Inauguration

Vice President JD Vance did indeed place his hand on a Bible during his swearing-in ceremony on January 20, 2025. Unlike President Trump, who broke with tradition by not placing his hand on either of the two Bibles present during his oath, Vance followed the customary practice that has been observed by most American officials taking the oath of office.

A Family Bible with Deep Kentucky Roots

The Bible Vance chose for his inauguration held special personal significance. The book belonged to his maternal great-grandmother from eastern Kentucky, connecting the new Vice President to his Appalachian heritage. This choice reflected Vance's well-documented connection to his Kentucky family, particularly the grandmother who helped raise him during difficult periods in his childhood.

Vance was sworn in as the 50th vice president of the United States with his hand on the Bible, which was held by his wife Usha Vance during the ceremony. The intimate moment took place in the Capitol Rotunda, as the inauguration had been moved indoors due to cold weather forecasts.

The Constitutional Context

While placing a hand on the Bible has become a deeply ingrained American tradition, it's worth noting that there is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that requires officials to do so. The Constitution simply states that presidents and other officials "shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation." This flexibility allows incoming officials to choose whether to include religious elements in their oath-taking.

A Tale of Two Ceremonies

The 2025 inauguration presented an interesting contrast in approaches to this tradition. While Vice President Vance placed his right hand on the Bible with his family by his side, President Trump chose not to place his hand on either of the two Bibles present, instead raising his right hand in the air as he recited the oath. This difference highlights how personal choice and individual interpretation shape even the most established ceremonial practices in American political life.

The question of whether JD Vance put his hand on the Bible thus serves as a window into both personal tradition and the evolving nature of American political ceremony, demonstrating how each leader brings their own approach to these solemn moments of democratic transition.