Second inauguration of Barack Obama

Second inauguration of Barack Obama
White House/Sonya Hebert · Public domain · source
Title	Second inauguration of Barack Obama
Date	January 20, 2013
Venue	United States Capitol
Location	Washington, D.C.
Presiding	Chief Justice John Roberts
Inaugurated	Barack Obama
Vice	Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Second inauguration of Barack Obama was the formal swearing-in ceremony and public inauguration events marking the commencement of Barack Obama's second four-year term as President of the United States on January 20, 2013. The inauguration combined constitutional rituals, public pageantry on the United States Capitol, and national ceremonies involving federal, state, and civic institutions. The event drew widespread domestic and international attention from political leaders, media organizations, and civic groups.

Background

The 2013 inauguration followed the 2012 United States presidential election in which Barack Obama defeated Mitt Romney and other candidates, culminating in reelection amidst debates over the Affordable Care Act, fiscal standoffs with United States Congress, and foreign policy challenges involving Afghanistan War, Syria, and relations with China. Preparations involved the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, coordination with the United States Secret Service, and logistics from the Architect of the Capitol. The swearing-in date of January 20 was set by the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution, with ceremonial activities reflecting precedents established by inaugurations of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Ceremony and Events

Public events centered on the west front of the United States Capitol and included a constitutionally required oath, a musical prelude featuring performers associated with the Presidential Inaugural Committee, and an inaugural parade along Pennsylvania Avenue. The program featured artists, military bands from the United States Marine Corps, the United States Army Band ("Pershing's Own"), and choirs with links to institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera and historically black colleges like Howard University. A formal inaugural luncheon and inaugural balls followed, hosted by the Congressional Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and coordinated with state delegations, diplomatic corps from the Department of State, and civic organizations including the NAACP and League of Women Voters.

Oath of Office

The constitutional oath was administered on the inaugural platform by John Roberts (Chief Justice), Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Vice President Joe Biden took his oath earlier from Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor aboard a separate platform. The wording followed Article II, Section 1 of the United States Constitution and adhered to precedents from previous administrations, with attention from legal scholars at institutions such as Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, and Georgetown University Law Center regarding protocol and any variations in recitation.

Inaugural Address

President Obama delivered an inaugural address that referenced themes from his first term, including economic recovery measures associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, regulatory debates involving the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and foreign policy priorities related to the United Nations and NATO. The speech invoked historical parallels with earlier addresses by Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. and appealed to bipartisan cooperation with references to the United States Congress and state governors. Analysts from media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and BBC News evaluated the rhetoric, tone, and policy signals for implications on the second term's agenda.

Participants and Attendance

Attendees included former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and former first lady Laura Bush, along with members of the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and foreign heads of state and government envoys from organizations including the European Union and the African Union. Celebrities, civic leaders from AARP and Sierra Club, and leaders of faith communities such as representatives of the National Council of Churches were present at inaugural events. Estimated public attendance figures were reported by the National Park Service, and coverage by broadcasters like CNN, NBC, and PBS provided global viewership metrics.

Security and Logistics

Security planning involved the United States Secret Service, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, the Department of Homeland Security, and interagency coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Defense for crowd control and airspace restrictions. Measures included temporary fence perimeters, bag checks, and deployment of National Guard units coordinated through state governors. Transportation adjustments affected the Washington Metro system and federal offices, while public-access considerations required permits from the National Park Service and coordination with local emergency medical services.

Cultural and Political Impact

The inauguration generated cultural responses across the fields of music, visual arts, and civic activism, with performances reflecting influences from the Civil Rights Movement and contemporary popular culture tied to artists represented by Columbia Records and Sony Music Entertainment. Politically, the event shaped early narratives of Obama's second term, influencing debates over fiscal policy, immigration reform involving proposals related to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals framework, and appointments requiring confirmation by the United States Senate. Commentators in publications such as The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, and Politico assessed the inauguration's impact on partisan dynamics and international perceptions of American leadership.

Category:2013 in Washington, D.C. Category:Barack Obama