Roberts was actually the one who made the initial mistake, and then was repeated by Obama.  The details are below:

WASHINGTON - Chief Justice John Roberts, swearing in a new president for the first time, flubbed the opening words of the oath of office. President Barack Obama paused then repeated the right words slightly out of order.

The presidential oath comes directly from the Constitution. It says, "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

When Roberts administered the oath, he misplaced the word "faithfully."

Obama said, "I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear …"

Roberts continued, "that I will execute the office of the President to the United States faithfully…"

Obama paused and then said, "that I will execute…"

Roberts interjected, "faithfully the office of the president of the United States…"

Then, Obama said, "the office of President of the United States faithfully," repeating the chief justice's words.

From there, they got back on track. The new president said he "will to the best of my ability … preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Roberts closed with the words, "So help you God."

"So help me God," Obama said.

Those words were not included in the constitutional oath, but they have become part of the presidential tradition. They were believed be uttered by President George Washington in his first inauguration, although historians say there is no documented proof of that.

david.savage@latimes.com

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