President Obama officially began his second term on Sunday with a private swearing-in ceremony at the White House, taking the oath of office just before noon.
Joined by his family in the Blue Room, Obama was sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, and the ceremony went off without a hitch — Roberts famously flubbed the oath four years ago.
“Congratulations,” First Lady Michelle Obama told her husband moments after the brief event. "Thank you, sweetie," the president replied.
The Constitutions requires the president to begin his second term on Jan. 20, but because the date fell on a Sunday the White House scheduled the private ceremony ahead of Monday's public inaugural ceremonies. Up to 700,000 pepole are expected to pour into Washington for that swearing-in.
Earlier Sunday, Vice President Joe Biden was sworn in at the Naval Observatory, using a Bible passed down through his family since 1893. The president and vice president also participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Ceremony Sunday morning.
Obama and Biden are scheduled to speak at an inauguration reception on Sunday evening.
