In a brief ceremony in the Blue Room of the White House, Barack Obama has taken the oath of office and begun his second term as the 44th President of the United States.
The oath was administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, at 11.55am.
The ceremony took one minute. Obama’s wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, were the only other people present, apart from a handful of journalists and a camera crew.
The 20th Amendment to the US Constitution stipulates that a presidential term ends at noon on January 20. Since this is a Sunday, Obama will take the oath again tomorrow as part of the official public ceremonies. He will also give his inaugural address tomorrow.
Vice-President Joe Biden took the oath of office earlier this morning.
Obama won re-election last November. He is constitutionally prevented from running again in 2016. He now has less time left as president than he has already served.
- Listen to Obama take the oath of office (1m)
- Watch Obama take the oath of office (1m)
