President Biden for once beat the clock.
The 46th president, known for his chronic tardiness, finished reciting his oath of office at 11:48 a.m. Wednesday, with his hand on a five-inch-thick Bible that has been in his family for 127 years.
The ceremonies proceeding ahead of schedule had some wondering if Biden’s swearing-in ahead of noon meant he assumed the presidency 12 minutes early. But ultimately it’s the 20th Amendment — not the inaugural itinerary — that determines when a new presidential term begins, no matter if the oath takes place ahead of time, according to constitutional experts.
