The Flubbed Oath Of Office

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed the oath of office.

Separated by a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inaugural, Roberts asked Obama: “Are you prepared to take the oath, Senator?” The former Illinois senator indicated he was, and Roberts started reciting — and Obama repeating — the 35-word oath that is prescribed by the Constitution. But at one point, Obama paused abruptly after Roberts reversed several words in the oath. The oath includes the phrase “that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States” but Roberts didn’t say “faithfully” until after saying “president of the United States.” Obama apparently realized that something was out of order. With Obama not reciting, Roberts then repeated the phrase correctly, the brief awkward moment ended and Obama was back on track. He was then the first to congratulate Obama on his new job.