WASHINGTON – JD Vance was officially sworn in on Monday as the 50th vice president of the United States, marking a swift ascent in his political career that has taken him from his Ohio beginnings to a position just a heartbeat away from the presidency.

Vance, who resides in Cincinnati and hails from Middletown, Ohio, took his oath of office alongside President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol, with his wife, children, and mother by his side. The oath was administered by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who previously employed Second Lady Usha Vance during his time on the U.S. Court of Appeals.

For the ceremony, Vance placed his hand on a Bible that belonged to his great-grandmother, a gift from his “Mamaw” when he enlisted in the Marines in 2003. He wore a navy blue Italian suit that was custom-made for the inauguration by his long-time tailor in suburban Cincinnati.

Monday’s inauguration was more low-key than initially intended.

Due to forecasts of severe cold, Trump moved the inauguration celebration indoors, which meant that thousands of people could not attend the ceremony in person.

Nevertheless, supporters gathered in the nation’s capital, hoping to catch a glimpse of Trump and Vance. Kelley and Corey Carter drove eight hours from Middletown with their 9-year-old son.

“Middletown doesn’t get the best reputation, so it’s amazing to see a turnaround,” Kelley expressed regarding Vance. “We have Olympians, and now we have a vice president – I think that’s fantastic.”

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Vance and Trump were scheduled to meet with supporters at the Capital One Arena to view the parade and see the new president and vice president.

Vance and the second lady had a busy itinerary leading up to Monday’s inauguration. On Saturday, Vance hosted a formal dinner with many of Trump’s cabinet appointees and joined Trump the next day to lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Additionally, Vance met with China’s vice president, Han Zheng, to discuss issues such as fentanyl, trade, and “regional stability,” as stated by the transition team. Han attended the inauguration on behalf of Chinese President Xi Jinping, while Trump promised to restore access to TikTok and find an American buyer for the app, which is owned by China-based ByteDance.

During Ohio’s inaugural ball on Sunday, Vance praised the Buckeye State for his political rise and showcased a personalized Ohio State jersey gifted to him by Senator Bernie Moreno.

“I truly would not have achieved this without the tremendous support and spirit of the people from Ohio,” Vance remarked. “It is an honor to represent Ohio.”

This story will be updated.