Jimmy Carter’s casket arrives in Washington for his final farewell
Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket arrived in Washington on Tuesday as US officials paid their last respects before his burial in Georgia.
The 39th president died on December 29 at the age of 100 at his home in Plains.
Carter’s flag-draped casket arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Tuesday afternoon, where he was transferred through a military cordon to a hearse during an arrival ceremony.
His casket was then moved to a horse-drawn caisson during a procession at the US Navy Memorial, while members of the Carter family accompanied Carter’s body on its final journey to the US Capitol.
People lined the snow-lined streets to watch the emotional procession as the casket made its way through Washington. Some mourners held signs expressing their love for the late president.
Carter’s body will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until a state funeral at the National Cathedral on Thursday, January 9.
Former President Jimmy Carter’s flag-draped casket arrives at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 7, where he will lie in state until the state funeral on Thursday
Members of Congress, Cabinet secretaries, Supreme Court justices and other U.S. officials were all on hand to pay their respects to Carter and greet members of his family at the U.S. Capitol.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gen. Doug Emhoff presented a wreath on behalf of the executive branch at the state ceremony, where the vice president also delivered remarks.
Harris said Carter’s works will resonate for generations and that he lived every day of his long life in service to the people.
She recalled being in high school when Carter was elected president and her own mother admiring him for his strength of character, honesty, integrity and work ethic.
Harris noted Carter’s work as president to protect the environment and appoint Black Americans and women to the federal bench. She said his legacy of global leadership is “well established” despite the crisis he faced.
The U.S. Army caisson detachment with Carter’s casket as people watch from the snow-lined streets of Washington, D.C., on January 7
The flag-draped coffin makes its way to Capitol Hill at Constitution Avenue
Former President Carter’s casket is carried up the steps of the US Capitol
Former President Carter’s casket will lie in state during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on January 7
An overhead view of former President Carter’s casket as it is carried into the Capitol Rotunda on January 7
Amy Carter, the daughter of former President Jimmy Carter, in the Capitol as her father lies in state in the Rotunda
Members of the Carter family, including the former president’s son James “Chip” Carter and his wife Becky, during the memorial service at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 7
“Jimmy Carter was a forward-looking president with a vision for the future,” Harris said. She cited the creation of the Energy Department, the Education Department and FEMA during his tenure.
“Jimmy Carter was that all-too-rare example of a gifted man who also handled humility, modesty and grace,” she said.
The vice president also touted his post-presidential work as a “new model for what it means to be a former president” and said he is leaving “an extraordinary post-presidential legacy” with the creation of the Carter Center, his work on the field of public health. and his continued advocacy in the more than forty years he lived after leaving office.
She praised the former president for maintaining “basic decency” throughout his life, loving his country and leaving the world better than he found it.
“Jimmy Carter’s work and those works speak louder for him than any tribute we can offer. May his life be a lesson for the ages and a beacon for the future,” Harris said.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter in the Capitol Rotunda
Vice President Harris praised Carter at a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol as an “all-too-rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty and grace” and recalled how her mother admired him when he was elected
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as well as Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, also presented wreaths during the ceremony.
Johnson (R-La.) called Carter an “extraordinary man, a man who, like every other American, exemplified the virtues of service and citizenship.”
“President Carter’s life, his selfless service, his fight against cancer and his lasting contributions to his fellow man are all truly remarkable,” Johnson said.
“Whether in the White House or in his post-presidential years, as discussed, President Carter was willing to roll up his own sleeves to serve and get the job done,” he added.
Johnson said Carter leaves a lasting legacy not just in the US but around the world.
Thune (RS.D.) praised Carter for his long post-presidency, during which he focused on improving the lives of Americans, including his work with Habitat for Humanity.
“Jimmy Carter did his utmost to live the calling of his lord and savior,” he said.
The public will be able to pay their respects Thursday in the Capitol Rotunda before Carter’s casket is moved to the National Cathedral.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson speaks during a ceremony for former President Jimmy Carter in the Capitol Rotunda on January 7. He joined others in praising Carter for his post-presidency work
Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer present a wreath during the ceremony for former President Carter
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Browser during the ceremony for former President Carter at the U.S. Capitol
The state funeral will take place on January 9, where President Biden will join others in delivering the eulogy.
President-elect Donald Trump said he would attend, as is customary for former presidents, to attend the state funerals of other US presidents.
Before the final trip to Washington, Carter had lain in repose at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, where visitors could stop by to say their final goodbyes.
More than 23,000 mourners paid their respects to the former president in Georgia, according to the Carter Center.
Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket arrives at Joint Base Andrews on January 7
Former President Carter’s casket was moved to a horse-drawn caisson at the US Navy Memorial before making its way to the US Capitol
People watch as former President Jimmy Carter’s casket moves through Washington toward the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 7
After the state funeral on Thursday, Carter’s body will be flown back to Georgia for a final private service.
Carter will be buried next to former First Lady Rosalynn Carter at the family’s peanut farm in Plains.
President and Rosalynn Carter were married for 77 years until the former first lady passed away in November 2023.