President Barack Obama (L) is sworn in during the public ceremony by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts as First lady Michelle Obama, and daughters, Sasha Obama and Malia Obama look on during the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term as President of the United States. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama is sworn in during the public ceremony as First lady Michelle Obama looks on during the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term as President of the United States. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama is sworn in during the public ceremony as U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) (L), First lady Michelle Obama, and Malia Obama look on during the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term as President of the United States. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama is sworn by Chief Justice John Roberts at the ceremonial swearing-in at the U.S. Capitol during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Barack Obama is sworn in during the public ceremony by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts (r) during the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term as President of the United States. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama (L) shakes hands with Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts after being sworn in during the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term as President of the United States. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama (L) shakes hands with Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts after being sworn in as First lady Michelle Obama and daughters, Sasha Obama and Malia Obama look on during the public ceremonial inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term as President of the United States. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is promising 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.
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.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
