Obama to take private oath in brief family service

Associated Press

JOSH LEDERMAN,Associated Press

Updated: Jan 15, 2013 2:38 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's private swearing-in will be a brief, sparsely attended ceremony in the Blue Room of the White House.

White House spokesman Jay Carney says Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will administer the oath of office on Sunday just before noon, the time required by the Constitution. Obama's family will attend along with a few reporters, and Obama isn't expected to make a speech.

The Constitution requires that the president be sworn in on Jan. 20, but since that falls on a Sunday this year, Obama will have two ceremonies: one on Sunday and a larger, public ceremony on Monday, followed by a parade and inaugural balls.

Vice President Joe Biden will be sworn in during a separate ceremony Sunday morning at the Naval Observatory.

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