News (USA)

The 57th Presidential Inauguration: Obama delivers inaugural address

The 57th Presidential Inauguration: Obama delivers inaugural address

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Monday promised to uphold the Constitution in a public swearing in ceremony that signals the beginning of his second term in office.

Placing his hand on two Bibles — one used by President Abraham Lincoln at his first Inauguration and one used by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — Obama took a public oath of office on Monday, after he was sworn in during a private ceremony on Sunday. The Constitution requires presidential terms to begin on Jan. 20.

Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press

Delivering his second inaugural address, the President said that the inalienable rights set out in the Declaration of Independence may be self-evident — but “they’ve never been self-executed.”

“While freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by his people here on Earth,” he said.

Updated: 6 p.m. ET: Following is a replay of Obama taking the oath of office, and his complete remarks:

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administered Obama’s private swearing in on Sunday and the public ceremony Monday. He also swore Obama in during his first inauguration in 2009.

Associated Press contributed to this report.
Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

Marriage equality champion Chris Kluwe: ‘Everything a role model should be’

Previous article

Official White House photo: Second-term President Barack Obama

Next article