Trump makes appearances at several Inaugural Balls around DC after jam-packed first day as POTUS
President Donald Trump arrived at the Commander-in-Chief Ball shortly after 10 PM ET on Monday, and shared his First Dance with first lady Melania Trump – his first of three ball appearances that night. Shortly after the band played “Americans, We,” Trump was introduced by an emcee at the Walter Washington Convention Center in Mount Vernon Square, D.C. The event is geared toward service members. For his first dance, Trump and first lady Melania Trump danced to a contemporary rendition of Julia Ward Howe’s 1861 Civil War anthem “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The song was the clarion call of the Union Army of the Potomac – and the opposite number to the Confederate Army’s “Dixie.” TRUMP PARDONS NEARLY ALL 1/6 DEFENDANTS In brief remarks, Trump told the crowd the election was a “tremendous win” and that a big reason he won was “my relationship with you (the American people).” At the military themed ball, he praised his Pentagon chief nominee Pete Hegseth. Trump also spoke at two other balls later in the night, another located at the Washington Convention Center and the final one located at Union Station. The Liberty Ball was sandwiched between the Commander-in-Chief Ball and the Starlight Ball. While the Commander-in-Chief ball was geared towards service members, the Liberty Ball is set to include a wide-range of Trump supporters. It is being headlined by Trump’s address, but, also similar to the Commander-in-Chief Ball, will include some musical performances as well. Those performances will include country singer Jason Aldean, rapper Nelly, and the Village People. At the Liberty Ball – also held at the convention center – Trump shared another first dance with Mrs. Trump. Several members of the Trump family then took the stage, along with Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance. They danced to “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers. Trump told the Liberty Ball crowd it had been “a hell of a day.” BARRON TRUMP IS ALL GROWN UP The balls follow a jam-packed day of events that included President Trump’s formal swearing-in ceremony, an inaugural parade at Capital One Arena, an Oval Office signing ceremony, and much more. During the day’s events Trump signed a slew of executive orders related to border security, diversity, equity and inclusion, Jan. 6, energy and the climate, and the federal workforce. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The number of orders he signed outnumbered how many Trump signed during his first day in office in 2017, as well as the number that President Biden signed during his first day as president. The Liberty Ball is set to include a wide-range of Trump supporters. It is being headlined by Trump’s address, but, also similar to the Commander-in-Chief Ball, will include some musical performances as well.
Nancy Pelosi slams Trump’s ‘shameful’ pardons of Jan 6 defendants
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., slammed President Trump on Monday night for pardoning more than 1,000 people involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots. Trump signed pardons for approximately 1,500 defendants who were charged with crimes stemming from the riot at the U.S. Capitol, fulfilling a promise he made in December to act quickly and pardon them. Trump also commuted the sentences of six people on Monday, including the leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys extremist groups. BIDEN TAKES DEPARTING JAB AT TRUMP, SAYS HE WAS ‘GENUINE THREAT TO DEMOCRACY’ But Pelosi called the move “shameful” and said to remember the “courage” of law enforcement “heroes” who “ensured that democracy survived.” “The President’s actions are an outrageous insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and emotional trauma as they protected the Capitol, the Congress and the Constitution,” Pelosi, who didn’t attend Trump’s inauguration on Monday, said in a statement posted to X. “It is shameful that the President has decided to make one of his top priorities the abandonment and betrayal of police officers who put their lives on the line to stop an attempt to subvert the peaceful transfer of power,” Pelosi wrote. DOJ SEEKS TO BLOCK JAN. 6 DEFENDANTS FROM ATTENDING TRUMP INAUGURATION The Justice Department reported that approximately 140 police officers were assaulted during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. That included law enforcement members from both the U.S. Capitol Police and about 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department. Trump announced earlier on Monday at his inaugural parade at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., he would issue pardons for the “hostages.” “Tonight I’m going to be signing on the J6 hostages, pardons to get them out,” Trump said at the parade at Capital One Arena. “I’m going to the Oval Office, and we’ll be signing pardons for a lot of people.” So far, judges or a jury after a trial have convicted roughly 250 people who faced charges for their involvement in the riot, and more than 1,000 had pleaded guilty to crimes as of January. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Barron Trump is all grown up: A look at the first son’s transformation from 2017 to 2025
President Trump’s youngest son Barron, 18, stepped into the spotlight at his father’s inauguration on Monday. Standing at a towering 6’9″, many attendees and viewers remarked about how mature the younger Trump has become since his father first took office back in January 2017. At 10 years old, Barron Trump was often the victim of cruel jokes and rumors from his father’s critics. His mother, Melania Trump, attempted to shield him from unwanted scrutiny, though sometimes to no avail. On Monday, the first son commanded respect from onlookers as he stood by his father’s side during the inaugural ceremonies. Here’s a look at how Barron Trump has grown up since 2017. DOGE CAUCUS PLANS FOR BIGGEST IMPACT, EYEING KEY TOOLS TO EXPEDITE CUTTING WASTE At 10 years old, Barron Trump became the first son to reside in the White House since John F. Kennedy, Jr. in 1961. Barron, who turned 11 in March of 2017, also lived at Trump Tower in New York at the same time, attending Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School on the Upper West Side. Beginning in 2016, rumors swirled about Barron Trump possibly having autism, which comedian Rosie O’Donnell amplified. In 2024, Melania Trump said that the rumors deeply impacted her son, who was bullied at school. “I was appalled by such cruelty,” Melania Trump wrote in her memoir. “It was clear to me that she was not interested in raising awareness about autism. I felt that she was attacking my son because she didn’t like my husband.” “There is nothing shameful about autism (though O’Donnell’s tweet implied that there was), but Barron is not autistic,” she added. “Barron’s experience of being bullied both online and in real life following the incident is a clear indication of the irreparable damage caused.” Barron turned 12 years old in March 2018 and continued to be a common target for Trump’s enemies. Actor Peter Fonda called for officials to “rip Barron Trump from his mother’s arms and put him in a cage with pedophiles.” He later apologized for the remarks. “I tweeted something highly inappropriate and vulgar about the president and his family in response to the devastating images I was seeing on television,” Fonda said in the statement shortly after. “Like many Americans, I am very impassioned and distraught over the situation with children separated from their families at the border, but I went way too far.” Barron was 13 years old when his family permanently relocated to Mar-a-Lago in 2019. That year, Trump said he would have a “hard time” allowing his son to play football. “I just don’t like the reports that I see coming out having to do with football — I mean, it’s a dangerous sport and I think it’s really tough,” Trump said at the time. “I thought the equipment would get better, and it has. The helmets have gotten far better, but it hasn’t solved the problem.” During a 2019 House Judiciary Committee impeachment hearing, Stanford law professor Pamela Karlan remarked that then-President Trump could “name his son Barron, he can’t make him a baron.” Melania Trump was upset that her young son was mentioned at the hearing. “A minor child deserves privacy and should be kept out of politics,” the first lady tweeted at the time. “Pamela Karlan, you should be ashamed of your very angry and obviously biased public pandering, and using a child to do it.” As Trump was fighting for his re-election bid in 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the United States, Barron Trump continued to attend school and stayed out of the public spotlight. In 2020, “Jeopardy” host Ken Jennings apologized for a joke he told about Barron in 2017. “Barron saw a very long necktie and a heap of expired deli meat in a dumpster,” Jennings tweeted at the time. “He thought it was his dad & his little heart is breaking.” “Hey, I just wanted to own up to the fact that over the years on Twitter, I’ve definitely tweeted some unartful [sic] and insensitive things,” Jennings wrote in 2020. “Sometimes they worked as jokes in my head and I was dismayed to see how they read on screen.” OHIO GOV DEWINE PICKS LT GOV TO FILL VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT JD VANCE’S VACANT SEAT Barron Trump was 14 years old when his father left office in January. He lived with his mother at Mar-a-Lago full-time and stayed out of the spotlight. In July 2021, he was seen leaving Trump Tower with Melania Trump. Barron Trump was 16 when FBI agents raided his father’s Florida estate. He kept a low profile during this year, but he was seen in public with both of his parents at the funeral of Ivana Trump, Trump’s first wife, in July 2022. In November 2022, his father announced his bid for the presidency. As President Trump’s campaign kicked up again in 2023, Barron was still absent from the public spotlight. In August of that year, his father’s mugshot was released. Barron Trump matriculated at New York University (NYU) in the fall of 2024. He graduated from Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach in May, and was seen attending classes at NYU’S Stern School of Business. In November, he also voted for the first time, casting a ballot for his father in Florida. Barron looked sharp as he attended his father’s inauguration on Jan. 20. Later during the day, he waved to the crowd after his father mentioned his role in the 2024 campaign. “I have a very tall son named Barron. Has anyone ever heard of him?” Trump said to cheers, as the first son waved at attendees. “He knew the youth vote. You know, we won the youth vote by 36 points… He said, ‘Dad, you got to go out, do Joe Rogan, do all these guys,’” Trump recalled. “We did, we did. And Joe Rogan was great.” The 18-year-old also wowed attendees when he shook hands with President Biden and then-Vice President Kamala Harris, with some social media
Trump pardons nearly all Jan. 6 defendants on inauguration day
President Donald Trump pardoned nearly all Jan. 6 defendants on Monday night, after promising at his inaugural parade to sign an executive order on the matter. Sitting at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, Trump signed off on releasing more than 1,500 charged with crimes stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol. The order requires the Federal Bureau of Prisons to act immediately on receipt of the pardons. “Tonight I’m going to be signing on the J6 hostages, pardons to get them out,” Trump said at the parade at Capital One Arena in Washington. “I’m going to the Oval Office and we’ll be signing pardons for a lot of people.” Those pardoned include Enrique Tarrio, the former Proud Boys chairman, who faced a sentence of 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy. Tarrio’s attorney told the Associated Press he expects Tarrio to face release Monday evening. Trump previously promised that he would be “acting very quickly” on his first day in office to pardon to the so-called “hostages.” TRUMP TO DEPLOY MILITARY TO BORDER, END BIDEN PAROLE POLICIES IN FLURRY OF DAY ONE EXECUTIVE ORDERS Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called Trump’s pardon “shameful,” and said to remember the “courage” of law enforcement “heroes” who “ensured that democracy survived.” “The President’s actions are an outrageous insult to our justice system and the heroes who suffered physical scars and emotional trauma as they protected the Capitol, the Congress and the Constitution,” Pelosi, who didn’t attend Trump’s inauguration Monday, said in a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. “It is shameful that the President has decided to make one of his top priorities the abandonment and betrayal of police officers who put their lives on the line to stop an attempt to subvert the peaceful transfer of power,” Pelosi said. The pardon was one of more than 200 executive orders Trump was expected to sign on Inauguration Day. Other directives he signed on Monday include withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement that the U.S. initially entered under former President Barack Obama’s administration in 2015. Trump previously withdrew the U.S. from the agreement during his first term in 2020. TRUMP TO TAKE MORE THAN 200 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON DAY ONE On Monday morning, then-President Joe Biden issued a series of pardons just hours before Trump’s swearing in at the U.S. Capitol. Those pardoned by Biden include former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Gen. Mark Milley, whom Trump has accused of committing treason. Others Biden pardoned were those involved in the Jan. 6 Select Committee investigation that conducted a probe into the attack. “The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense,” Biden said in a statement. “Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.” Fox News’ Anders Hagstrom and Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
President Trump discovers letter from former President Biden in Resolute Desk
President Donald Trump, while signing a flurry of executive orders from the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office of the White House as the now 47th President of the United States, discovered a letter from his predecessor inside one of the desk’s drawers with the help of a Fox News reporter. Trump was in the process of signing one of many executive orders on Monday after returning to the White House when Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked if President Biden left him a letter. “He may have. Don’t they leave it in the desk? I don’t know,” Trump told Doocy before discovering a white envelope with the number “47” written on it. “Thank you, Peter. It could have been years before we found this thing.” Trump then teased everyone in the room by suggesting they all read the letter together, before pulling back the reigns. DONALD TRUMP SWORN IN AS 47TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES “Well, maybe I’ll read it first and then make that determination,” the president said, once again thanking the White House correspondent. “Happy to help with the passing of the torch,” Doocy said. Trump was then asked if he left one for Biden, and he said he left one in the desk, just like Biden. TRUMP TO TAKE MORE THAN 200 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON DAY ONE In leaving the letter for Trump, Biden kept with the now 36-year tradition of the departing commander in chief, writing a note to the incoming president. As he left the White House in 1989 after two terms in office, President Ronald Reagan started the tradition – leaving a note for his successor, George H. W. Bush, who also happened to be his vice president. Four years later, despite losing to then-Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas, outgoing President Bush left Clinton a note in the Oval Office. The tradition has carried on to this day.
Palestinians find dozens of bodies under rubble in Gaza
NewsFeed Some Palestinians have found the remains of their loved ones after the ceasefire came into effect while others are desperately searching for any sign of their family members. An estimated 10,000 bodies are believed to be buried under the debris covering Gaza after the devastating 15-month war. Published On 20 Jan 202520 Jan 2025 Adblock test (Why?)
Supporters swarm US capital as Donald Trump sworn in for second term
Washington, DC – United States President Donald Trump has been sworn in for a second term at an indoor ceremony at the Capitol, where he was shielded against the wintry gusts of a polar vortex. But his inauguration still saw supporters descend on Washington, DC, to celebrate. On Monday, in his second inaugural address, Trump pledged that his legacy would be that of a “peacemaker and unifier”. But in the same remarks, the US president outlined some of his most divisive policy proposals, including a harsh crackdown on irregular immigration and “taking back” the Panama Canal. “Above all, my message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigour and vitality of history’s greatest civilisation,” Trump said. “So as we liberate our nation, we will lead it to new heights of victory and success.” Trump’s Democratic detractors have long accused him of being a threat to US democracy – if not an outright fascist. However, there were few protesters in Washington on Monday to reject Trump’s return to the White House, marking a stark contrast with the large demonstrations before, during and after his first inauguration. Advertisement Protesters may have been deterred by the indoor inauguration or the freezing cold. Others may have felt apathy or a sense of acceptance towards Trump’s return to the White House. JD Vance is sworn in as the US vice president in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20 [Saul Loeb/Reuters] The weather, however, did not keep away the US president’s supporters, who showed up in their Make America Great Again (MAGA) gear and queued over several city blocks to get inside the Capital One Arena. Trump’s last-minute decision on Friday to move his inauguration indoors left many unable to watch it in person. But the arena was set up as an alternative, with a live broadcast of the event. Plus, Trump promised to make a personal appearance afterwards. Still, thousands of his supporters were left angling for a spot in the 20,000-seat arena, which boasted less space than the outdoor National Mall park. ‘Respected again’ Although Trump has filled his cabinet with foreign policy hawks, several of his supporters stressed his pledge to advance global peace. David Marks, who drove from Orlando, Florida, to attend the inauguration events, praised Trump for using “common sense” instead of relying on bureaucracy in his governing style. Marks rode a bike featuring a banner with the flags of Israel and Palestine and a peace sign. “He understands it’s in our interests to have world peace,” he said of Trump. Marks was not able to make it to the arena, where the inauguration ceremony and the president’s speech were broadcast on jumbo screens. Trump supporters wait for entry at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC [Ali Harb/Al Jazeera] Thousands of others were left outside in the Arctic cold, even after waiting for hours to enter the building. Many watched the inauguration on their phones instead as they waited in the slow-moving line. Advertisement Trump’s inaugural address was marked by jabs at outgoing President Joe Biden and pledges to aggressively enact his hardline campaign promises. “The golden age of America begins right now,” Trump said, invoking an oft-repeated phrase from his presidential campaign. “From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer.” ‘World peace’ Those hoping to get a seat in the Capital One Arena began lining up before dawn, despite temperatures that hovered at -6 degrees Celsius (21 degrees Fahrenheit). Johnny Estrada, a 28-year-old police officer from New Mexico, said he and his friends made a last-minute decision to fly in for the inauguration. He admitted some disappointment about the venue change. “Unfortunately, it was changed a bit on us, but we’re here,” said Estrada, who wore a red Trump hat with a tuft of fake orange hair poking out. Johnny Estrada, a 28-year old Trump supporter, waits in line in Washington, DC [Joe Stepansky/Al Jazeera] “The next four years are looking really good. As far as today, I’m just happy to be here.” He added that he most identified with Trump’s “America First” pledge. “Personally, I don’t like how we give money to these other countries for their wars. I’m an Army veteran, and the money should be going to our country.” Chicago resident Shay White also did not make it to the arena, but he played down any dismay in the crowd over the circumstances. Advertisement “We’re Americans no matter where we are,” White said. “There’s so much good energy over here.” His face featured a smear of fake blood, in reference to the blood splatter that stained Trump’s cheek after he survived an assassination attempt in July. White explained that he was confident Trump would help end conflicts globally. Chicago resident Shay White holds a US flag in Washington, DC [Ali Harb/Al Jazeera] “I think we’re going to have less issues with war. Already, a few days ago what did Gaza announce? Gaza announced a ceasefire,” White told Al Jazeera. Trump sent his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to the region earlier this month to help finalise the ceasefire deal, alongside Biden’s representatives. Several Israeli media outlets reported that Trump’s team pressured Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to approve the agreement that was announced last week. ‘Felon coming in with access to nuclear weapons’ While supporters in and around the arena viewed Trump as a strong man who would fight for peace, the president’s critics feared a different outcome for the next four years. At the Metropolitan AME Church just blocks from the White House, Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network held a rally in honour of Martin Luther King, Jr. Many attendees found irony in the fact that Trump’s inauguration took place on the national holiday named for the Black civil rights leader. “We
Trump gives preview of next four years as president
[unable to retrieve full-text content] It is only Donald Trump’s first day back in office as US president, but he has given a clear preview of what to expect.
Marco Rubio confirmed by Senate to be next secretary of state, becomes first Trump cabinet pick to be approved
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was confirmed unanimously by the Senate to be the next secretary of state, making him the first of President Trump’s Cabinet picks to receive congressional approval. Rubio, a senator since 2011, was confirmed during a floor vote by the full Senate Monday night, several hours after Trump took his oath of office earlier in the day. The full Senate floor vote occurred following a separate vote by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which also voted unanimously in favor of Rubio’s nomination Monday. Rubio enters his role as secretary of state with a strong foreign policy background as a longtime member of the Senate’s Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees. He is also a first-generation Cuban American. DESANTIS ANNOUNCES CHOICE FOR SENATE APPOINTMENT AFTER RUBIO’S EXPECTED RESIGNATION His road to confirmation has been less controversial than many of Trump’s other Cabinet picks. At Rubio’s first confirmation hearing last week in front of the Foreign Relations Committee, the committee’s top-ranking Democrat, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, said she thought Rubio possessed “the skills” and is “well-qualified” to serve as the next secretary of state. She echoed this sentiment Monday evening as well before the full Senate vote. “I’ve had a good working relationship with Sen. Rubio for many years, and I was very impressed during his hearing by his grasp of policy,” Shaheen said Monday evening. “While we may not always agree, I believe he has the skills, knowledge and qualifications to be secretary of state.” MARK MILLEY PARDONED: GENERAL AT CENTER OF AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL PREDICTED IT WOULDN’T BE A SAIGON MOMENT Rubio expressed during his initial confirmation hearing last week that under Trump the State Department’s “top priority” will be to put America first. “This will not be easy,” Rubio said. “And it will be impossible without a strong and a confident America that engages in the world, putting our core national interests, once again, above all else.” Rubio will face some major challenges heading into his new role, notably the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Rubio described the fighting between Ukraine and Russia as a “stalemate” that “has to end” during his confirmation hearing last week, adding that under Trump’s proposed peace deal both countries will have to make “concessions.” Meanwhile, despite Trump’s past criticisms of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Rubio called the alliance “very important” and insisted that Trump was also a NATO supporter. On Gaza, Rubio supported Israel’s actions to defend itself against Hamas but stopped short of indicating one way or the other if he thought Israel’s annexation of parts of the West Bank was something he supported. TRUMP’S UN AMBASSADOR NOMINEE ELISE STEFANIK SAYS PRESIDENT SEES ‘GREAT PROMISE’ IN THE UNITED NATIONS “The idea would be that there not be conflict and the people could live side-by-side with one another without being in conflict and with the ability to pursue prosperity,” Rubio said. “Sadly and unfortunately the conditions for that to exist have not been in place for a substantial period of time.” Rubio also repeatedly singled out China during his remarks in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week. “We welcomed the Chinese Communist Party into this global order. And they took advantage of all its benefits. But they ignored all its obligations and responsibilities,” Rubio posited at his hearing. “Instead, they have lied, cheated, hacked and stolen their way to global superpower status, at our expense.” While Rubio did not face significant opposition to his confirmation, some Trump-aligned Republicans have expressed disdain over Rubio’s willingness to certify the results of the 2020 election that Trump alleged was “stolen” from him. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who has been an outspoken supporter of less U.S. intervention, also questioned Rubio’s hawkish stance on American intervention amid his confirmation to be secretary of state.
Trump did not place hand on Bibles during 2025 swearing in
President Trump bucked tradition on Monday when he did not place his hand on the Bible while taking the oath of office during his second inauguration. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath, telling Trump, who was walking toward him, to raise his right hand and repeat the words he was about to say. Trump then raised his right hand, and as Roberts said, “I, Donald John Trump,” first lady Melania Trump was seen approaching with a stack of Bibles. Rather than place his left hand on the Bibles, he kept his hand by his side and continued to take the oath of office as his family filed in behind him. TRUMP TO DEPLOY MILITARY TO BORDER, END BIDEN PAROLE POLICIES IN FLURRY OF DAY ONE EXECUTIVE ORDERS Melania Trump held two Bibles — one was the Lincoln Bible and the other was her husband’s personal Bible that was given to him by his mother when he was a child. Trump did place his hand on both those Bibles when he took the oath of office in 2017. Trump’s team did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on why the president did not place his hand on the Bibles. Vice President JD Vance did place his hand on the Bible while he was sworn in. Some people on social media say Roberts rushed the oath, while others appeared to be in disbelief that Trump did not place his hand on the Bibles, which is a tradition dating back to the very first inauguration of President George Washington. TRUMP TO TAKE MORE THAN 200 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON DAY ONE While it is traditional for the incoming president to place a hand on the Bible while taking the oath of office, there is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that requires them to do so. In fact, presidents “shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation,” according to Article VI of the Constitution. The same article states, “…no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” Article II of the Constitution also says the president must take the oath before entering office, though there is no mention of religion. DONALD TRUMP SWORN IN AS 47TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES The Constitution lays out the exact language to be used in the 34-word oath of office: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Many judges have tacked on four little words, “so help me God.” It is not legally or constitutionally required, unlike other federal oaths that invoke the words as standard procedure. Historians have been at odds over whether President Washington established precedent by adding the phrase on his own during his first acceptance, but contemporary accounts mention no such ad-libbing. Abraham Lincoln was reported to have said it spontaneously in 1861, and other presidents over the years have followed suit. A Bible is traditionally used, with the president placing one hand on it while raising the other during the oath of office. The Constitution also does not require the president or members of Congress or federal judges to be sworn in by a Supreme Court justice, though they just have for inaugurations, most of the time. When Washington took the first oath of office in 1789, the Supreme Court had not yet been formed, so New York’s highest-ranking judge did the honors at Federal Hall on Wall Street. Four years later, Associate Justice William Cushing swore in Washington for a second term, beginning the Supreme Court tradition. Fox News’ Shannon Bream and Bill Mears contributed to this report.