Tony Cook, and Maureen Groppe

IndyStar

WASHINGTON — With his hand on a pair of Bibles and a pledge before God to defend the Constitution, former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence took the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill.

In doing so, he became the nation's 48th vice president and the sixth from Indiana.

It was a fitting beginning of a new chapter for Pence, who considers his conservative Christian values the driving force of his 16-year political career.

Hundreds of thousands of people braved overcast skies to watch as Pence and President Donald Trump took their oaths from the west front terrace of the U.S. Capitol, ushering in one of the least conventional administrations in modern history.

Pence swore the oath on two Bibles — the one he opens every morning and one that belonged to his political idol, former President Ronald Reagan. The oath was administered by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, a member of the high court's conservative wing. By Pence's side were his wife, Karen, and their three children.

Trump was sworn in next using Abraham Lincoln's Bible in addition to his own. The president's oath was administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

Trump then delivered his first speech as president, a bold pronouncement of nationalism and economic protectionism.

Trump painted a stark picture of a nation in crisis with references to shuttered factories "scattered like tombstones" across the landscape; a flush education system that leaves students "deprived of knowledge"; and gang and drug problems that rob lives.

He blamed the Washington establishment for enriching themselves at the expense of average Americans. And he characterized decades of increasing engagement with other countries as detrimental to the interests of the American people.

"From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land," he promised. "From this moment on, it’s going to be America first."

While vice presidents do not give inauguration speeches, Pence's decision to use Reagan's Bible and his request that Thomas administer the oath were strong indications of the kind of vice president Pence aspires to be.

He made continuous references to Reagan throughout the campaign, often arguing that Trump had much in common with “the great communicator.” Pence also has promised to be a voice for conservative principles, including on issues such as abortion and the selection of strict constitutionalists to the Supreme Court.

The swearing in ceremony represented a stunning ascent for the Columbus, Ind., native.

Just one year ago, Pence was facing a tough re-election race as governor in Indiana after a bruising battle over Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which critics argued could allow discrimination against gays. Then in May, as the race for the Republican nomination barreled into the state, Pence endorsed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz rather than Trump, though he also praised the clear front runner.

Two months later, Trump made one of the most conventional choices of his free-wheeling campaign. Looking for someone who could appeal to social conservatives and who was familiar with Congress, he tapped the affable, silver-haired Pence — a longtime warrior of the ideological right during his six terms in Congress — to become his running mate.

On Friday, Pence, who has long described himself as "a Christian, a conservative and a Republican — in that order," began what he called a “historic and humbling day” the way he usually does — with a moment of reflection and prayer.

After leaving their temporary rental home in Washington on Friday morning, Mike and Karen Pence met Donald and Melania Trump for a morning service at St. John’s Episcopal Church across Lafayette Square from the White House.

That tradition was followed by another: Having tea at the White House with the outgoing president and vice president.

Joe and Jill Biden, whom the Pences have said couldn’t have been more gracious in the transition, stood at the top of the steps to great them.

“Welcome,” Joe Biden said before shaking hands with his replacement as Jill and Karen hugged.

After the Obamas came out to greet the Trumps, they headed back inside where they were joined by congressional leaders.

Meanwhile at the Capitol, military bands entertained the hundreds of thousands of people waiting for the inauguration ceremony to begin, some of whom arrived predawn to claim a spot. Temperatures hovered around 40 degrees with intermittent rain showers that let up just in time for the swearing-in ceremony.

As the official 11:30 a.m. start time approached, dignitary after dignitary was announced as they walked through an archway draped in red velvet onto the West Front of the Capitol.

“Trump! Trump! Trump!” yelled some impatient members of the audience.

First Pence’s children — Michael, Charlotte and Audrey — walked through the archway. Karen Pence, in a dark coat, came through with Melania Trump, who was clad in a sky blue Ralph Lauren outfit.

When Mike Pence came through the archway, he stood and waved to the crowd before walking down the steps to the front of the platform built for the ceremony. Former Vice President Dan Quayle, who was seated with the former presidents and vice presidents in attendance, got a hug from Pence.

Karen Pence held up the family Bible topped with Reagan’s Bible. The Reagan family Bible was opened to the same page Reagan selected for his inaugurations. It contains an underlined verse that was one of his mother’s favorites: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14)

Pence, wearing a bright blue tie and an American flag pin, raised his right hand and recited the oath.

"I do solemnly swear," Pence said, "that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."

Pence shook hands with Biden, Obama and Trump before turning the spotlight over to Trump.

After the ceremony ended, Pence sent his first tweet under his new @VP handle: “It is the honor of my life to serve our country, alongside President @realDonaldTrump, as the 48th Vice President of the United States."

Attendance at the event was noticeably less than in recent years. Photographs of the National Mall in front of the Capitol showed far more unoccupied space compared to former President Obama's two inaugurations, and Metro ridership was the lowest of any inauguration in at least 12 years, according to the Washington Post.

Pence next shared his first meal as vice president with his former colleagues on Capitol Hill, whom he will be working with again as he works to help Trump get his legislative agenda through Congress.

“We know that Vice President Pence is strengthened by his faith, by his family and by the foundation of experience he built here in these halls,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “I told you Mr. President, he knows the territory.”

Pelosi presented Pence with a flag flown over the Capitol during his inauguration.

Pence also received a 12-inch-wide custom-made Lenox crystal bowl depicting the Capitol overlooking the Lincoln Memorial. A compass is etched into the base of the bowl in such a way, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said with a smile, that it will remind Trump of something Pence already knows.

“That the center of Washington is not at the White House,” Blunt, chairman of the congressional inaugural committee, said. “It’s actually right here in the center of the Capitol building."

Trump and Pence then reviewed military troops from the East Front of the Capitol before their parade ride up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.

The Pences held hands as they walked along portions of the parade route with their children, waving broadly. "Indianaaaaa!" one enthusiastic onlooker hollered. "We love ya Mike!" another yelled.

After the parade, Pence and his family then took some time to check out his new digs.

"After riding in parade to the @WhiteHouse, we visited my new office & added to a Pence family tradition with a photo against the new desk," he tweeted shortly after 5:30 p.m.

Before the Pences headed out for a series of inaugural balls Friday evening, they also stopped by their new residence for some more family photos inside the home and then posed for media photographers on the porch.

"I've got these beautiful daughters. You guys getting my daughters?" Pence asked. "That's what I'm talking about. And my daughter-in-law."

The Pence women were dressed for the all-American evening, with Karen in a blue evening gown. Charlotte and Audrey in white and daughter-in-law Sarah in red.

Call IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at (317) 444-6081. Follow him on Twitter:@indystartony.

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