Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed President Donald Trump’s inaugural oath Monday, however, it wasn’t the first time Roberts made it a tad awkward for an incoming president. During Trump’s inauguration inside the Capitol Rotunda,

Some social media users wondered if Donald Trump not taking the oath on a religious text meant he wasn't properly sworn in.

President Trump did not place his hands on a stack of Bibles while taking the oath of office Monday, but he did not violate the U.S. Constitution either.

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump holds the Bible during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)

President Trump's family wasn't in place as the oath of office began, including his wife, Melania, who was holding two Bibles.

President Donald Trump did not place his hand on the two Bibles held by his wife, Melania Trump, when he took his second oath of office to become the 47th president of the United States

Donald Trump will take the oath of office saying he returns to the presidency “confident and optimistic” it's the start of “a thrilling new era of national success.”

Donald Trump's second presidency officially got underway when, on Monday, January 20, 2025, he was sworn in by U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts. During the ceremony, Trump was asked to place his hand on the Holy Bible.

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president Monday, returning to power with a promise to end America’s decline and to “completely and totally reverse” the actions of the man who drove him from office four years ago.

On Tuesday’s Slate Plus bonus episode of Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the president’s shock-and-awe return to office, and how his first round of policies might fare in court. A preview of their conversation, below, has been edited and condensed for clarity.