Buzz
Is it possible to take an oath of office with one hand placed on something other than a religious object? For federal positions, could a copy of the Constitution serve as an acceptable alternative? And for state or local positions, can someone meet the 'requirement' by swearing in on a copy of the state constitution or city charter?
Steve Harris:
Numerous presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt, used legal texts during their oaths of office to highlight that this is not a religious requirement in any way.
Technically, there's no requirement to use anything; you could take the oath with your hands empty. Additionally, there's no obligation for anyone to administer the oath to the president. The Constitution offers very little on the matter, apart from the actual words of the oath. It doesn’t even state you’re not president until the oath is taken, only that you must take it (as an oath or affirmation) once you're in office. In theory, you could wait.
LBJ was in such a rush that he swore the oath before leaving Dallas after JFK's assassination. Most historians agree that he acted prematurely, much like when he boarded JFK's plane and crowded it, despite having an identical plane ready to take him home empty (especially since any plane carrying the president is designated Air Force One).
This post originally appeared on Quora. Click here to view.
