Obama sworn in, second term officially begins

As mandated by the U.S. Constitution, President Obama was sworn in at 11:55 a.m. ET by Chief Justice John Roberts for his second term as president.

The president took the oath during a small, private ceremony in the White House Blue Room, with his hand on a Bible from First Lady Michelle Obama's family, which was held by her during the oath. 

"The bible was a gift from the First Lady's father, Fraser Robinson III, to his mother, LaVaughn Delores Robinson, on Mother's Day in 1958," according to the Presidential Inaugural Committee. "Mrs. Robinson was the first African American woman manager of a Moody Bible Institute's bookstore; this was the only Bible she ever used."

The Obamas' daughters, Sasha and Malia, stood between the first lady and Roberts. "I did it," Mr. Obama said to his daughters as he hugged them after taking the oath.

Earlier this morning, Vice President Joe Biden took his oath of office at a private ceremony in the Vice President's residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C.

The two were sworn in today, Jan. 20, the Constitutionally-mandated date for the president to be sworn into office. Because it's a Sunday, however, the public inauguration ceremony will take place tomorrow, with the two taking their oaths again at the West Front of the Capitol, followed by all the pomp and circumstance afforded to inaugurals.

• Why is Obama being sworn in twice?
• Biden officially sworn in for second term
• Did Obama keep first inaugural promises?

This year is the seventh Sunday-Monday inauguration split; the last time this happened was in 1985 for Ronald Reagan's second inauguration. Interestingly, Mr. Obama's two oath-takings this year matches his inauguration in 2009: due to a verbal flub by Chief Justice Roberts as he administered the oath, the president took the oath again later with Roberts at the White House, to make sure they hadn't run afoul of the Constitution earlier in the day.  Mr. Obama's four oaths (two this year and two in 2009) matches the record set by Franklin Roosevelt - though Roosevelt took one oath for each of his four inaugurations.

• Obamas, Bidens kick off inauguration weekend
• A guide to the official inauguration events

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Obama, Biden lay wreath at Arlington Cemetery

While the full inauguration ceremony is tomorrow, Mr. Obama today is marking the occasion - as well as remembering the life of Martin Luther King Jr. - around Washington, D.C.  Earlier today, he and Biden laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unkowns at Arlington National Cemetery.  Then, Mr. Obama and his family attended church in downtown D.C. at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church - celebrating its 175th anniversary, it's known as the "National Cathedral of African Methodism."

Tonight, the Obamas and the Bidens will speak to donors at a candlelight celebration at the National Building Museum.

[Riverjump]

Let us all do one thing now... Make our country better...

[TimeToEvolve]

Typical right wing wackos. Re-write history and ignore even what the right wingers like Boner and Mc Conman said. In public they said that their entire purpose was to make Obama a one-term president. And to do that they tried to sink America. And people still back the freaks. OMG!

[bbglow]

@7LUCKY... eliminating opportunity is the most destructive and wasteful of all policies of hope. Those fighting to preserve opportunity for all are applauded by US ...

[TimeToEvolve]

As is quite clear from history, 4 years ago the Republicons began a conspiracy of obstruction and economic destruction that was designed to make Obama fail. Although they did not succeed completely with their sick and twisted plans against America you have to wonder what they are plotting now.

I hope that in Obama's second term he fully understands what these ridiculous Republicons are about. He has an opportunity to completely render that failed party obsolete for a long time to come. And it is way past time to do that.

[TimeToEvolve]

You can't even remember the Bush Cheney Crime Family and how they got us into the whole mess. Amazing.

[TimeToEvolve]

As Obama so clearly said, we cannot succeed when we have a small number of very rich people while the rest of us struggle to make ends meet. The people that are dividing us are the greedy billionaires. They want us to fight amongst ourselves so they can continue to steal. It's that simple.

[thechooch1]

7lucky_seven more ill informed posts from you. Your President made his money writing books, you might want to read one of his. As far as flying around free, he is the president and requires security. Thus AF1.

Well doubt you would read one of the President's books, and if you did, doubt you could comprehend the meaning.

[TimeToEvolve]

Remember that whatever a right winger says it is either the exact opposite of the truth or they are saying it to cover up the fact that they are doing it themselves.

The Republicons have done everything they possibly can to divide the haves from the rest of us. They have even convince a bunch of half wits to join the Tea Bagging Party to help vanquish their own wealth. Amazing.

[FORWARD4US]

Congratulations Mr. President!!!!! Looking forward to an another triumphal 4 Years!!!!

[dontknowitall]

" I did it "? Yes of course he did it. He and his weathermen buddies proved how stupid the younger generation is. How naive woman are and how the language barrier in America is bogus.

[FORWARD4US]

Yep...you don't know much, do you...!??!???!?!?!?!?!?!

[Social_Adjudicator]

1459 days or less and this charade will be over. Many wars have lasted much longer. Hopefully, this one can be contained.

[brokenamerica]

A relative of mine died Last WEEK... And Now i am Happy for HIM, He does not have to endure 4 More Years .

[BENJORDON-]

Then the solution to your personal pain is obvious.

[dcdinnell]

10.3 TRILLION Dollars National Debt. . . Jan2009, Obama begins first term as LEADER of the nation

16.1 TRILLION Dollars National Debt. . . Dec2012, Obama ends first term as LEADER of the nation

16.4 TRILLION Dollars National Debt. . . Jan2013, Obama begins second term as LEADER of nation

26 TRILLION Dollars National Debt at current rate of growth. . . Dec2016, Obama ends second term as LEADER of nation

[raflin1]

Obama INHERITIRED a THREE TRILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT AND A FAILING ECONOMY AND TWO WARS. Check the current stats and get back on that??????? :-)