<P> This clause is one of two oath or affirmation clauses, but it alone actually specifies the words that must be spoken . The other, Article VI, Clause 3, simply requires the persons specified therein to "be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution ." The presidential oath, on the other hand, requires much more than this general oath of allegiance and fidelity . This clause enjoins the new president to swear or affirm that he "will to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States ." </P> <P> Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"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 ." </P> <P> While the Constitution does not mandate that anyone in particular should administer the presidential oath of office, it is typically administered by the Chief Justice . There have been several exceptions, however . George Washington was sworn into office during his first inauguration, on April 30, 1789, by Chancellor of New York Robert Livingston . William Cranch, chief judge of the U.S. Circuit Court, administered the oath to Millard Fillmore on July 10, 1850, when he became president after the death of Zachary Taylor . Upon being informed of Warren Harding's death, while visiting his family home in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as president by his father, John Calvin Coolidge Sr., a notary public . Federal Judge Sarah T. Hughes administered the oath of office to Lyndon B. Johnson aboard Air Force One after John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963 . This was the first (and to date only) time a woman administered the oath of office . Overall, the presidential oath has been administered by 15 Chief Justices (one of whom--William Howard Taft--was also a former president), one Associate Justice, four federal judges, two New York state judges, and one notary public . </P> <P> The Constitutional language gives the option to "affirm" instead of "swear". While the reasons for this are not documented, it may relate to certain Christians, including Quakers, who apply this scripture literally: "But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation" (James 5: 12, KJV). Franklin Pierce was the only president known to use the word "affirm" rather than "swear ." Herbert Hoover is often listed to have used "affirm" as well, owing to his being a Quaker, but a newsreel taken of the ceremony indicates that the words used were "solemnly swear ." Richard Nixon, who was also a Quaker, also swore, rather than affirmed . </P>

Who administers the oath of office for the president