Chief Justice John Roberts administers the oath of office to President Obama a second time on Jan. 21, 2009.(Photo: The White House via Getty Images)
It's official: Chief Justice John Roberts will swear in President Obama for his second term.
The
Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Friday that Obama has
selected Roberts to administer the oath of office later this month. The
president gets to pick who administers the oath of office, and,
historically, the Chief Justice on the Supreme Court has almost always
done the honors.
"I will be honored to again stand on the
Inaugural platform and take part in this important American tradition,"
Obama said in a statement. "I look forward to having Chief Justice John
Roberts administer my oath of office as we gather to celebrate not just a
president or vice president, but the strength and determination of the
American people."
We suspect Roberts is practicing -- four years
ago, Roberts stumbled over the oath, forcing a redo the next day at the
White House.
This year, Roberts will again swear in Obama twice --
first in a small White House ceremony at noon on Jan. 20, the
constitutionally mandated start of Obama's second term.
Because Jan. 20 falls on a Sunday, the public inauguration ceremony takes place at the U.S. Capitol on Monday, Jan. 21.
Vice President Biden, meanwhile, will be sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who was nominated to the high court by Obama.
From the Presidential Inaugural Committee:
"President Obama followed presidential precedent in choosing the Chief Justice to administer his oath of office.
"Historically,
Inaugural Ceremonies are not held on a Sunday because Courts and other
public institutions are not open. This year, in accordance with the
requirements of the United States Constitution, President Obama and Vice
President Biden will officially be sworn in on Sunday, January 20,
2013.
"The following day, Monday, January 21, 2013, a ceremonial
swearing-in that is open to the public will take place on the West Front
of the United States Capitol."
USA Today