Existing comment:
Administering the Presidential Oath:
At the request of the President-elect, a member of the Supreme Court has administered the oath of office at every official inaugural ceremony since 1793. The Chief Justice has performed this duty since 1797.
The oath taken by the President is defined by Article II, Section I, of the Constitution:
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.
Only Chief Justice John Jay (1790-1795) and John Rutledge (1795) did not have the honor of swearing-in a president. Chief Justice John Marshall administered the oath the most -- nine times during his 34-year tenure. |