The remains of former US president Jimmy Carter were moved in a dignified and ceremonial military procession to the US Capitol, where they will lie in state until a national funeral is held later this week.
Mr. Carter, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100, served one term from 1977 to 1981 and received widespread acclaim for his humanitarian efforts post-presidency, notably earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
His remains were taken to the snow-laden US Capitol, where they will rest until tomorrow, following a full day of formal travel that commenced in his home state of Georgia.
Members of the public wait in the Capitol Visitor Center before lining up to view the casket of President Jimmy Carter
A live broadcast by PBS depicted members of the public moving through the rotunda to pay their respects to the late president, with many pausing for a moment of silence, hands clasped.
“On behalf of the entire Department of Defense, we join the Carter family and all Americans in honoring this remarkable life, legacy, and service to our nation,” he expressed.
After being flown to Washington on a presidential US Air Force jet, Mr. Carter’s casket, draped with a flag, was transported atop a gun carriage in a funeral procession from the US Navy Memorial—paying homage to his military service on submarines—to Capitol Hill, retracing the route he took during his inauguration parade.
Numerous US service members accompanied the procession along Pennsylvania Avenue, which had been cleared of snow following a recent winter storm that caused federal office and school closures in the region.
US Vice President Kamala Harris delivers the eulogy during a ceremony for late former US President Jimmy Carter
Military pallbearers then carried his casket into the Capitol Rotunda where a brief service was conducted, attended by Mr. Carter’s family, members of Congress, and other dignitaries including Chief Justice John Roberts and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Mr. Carter is the 13th former US president to lie in state at the Capitol, with Abraham Lincoln, who was assassinated in 1865, being the first.
This ceremony holds additional significance, occurring just a day after the anniversary of the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, during which supporters of Donald Trump stormed the building in an effort to obstruct the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory.
On Monday, Congress certified Mr. Trump’s victory over Ms. Harris without any interruptions, amid heavy security surrounding the complex.
The casket of former US President Jimmy Carter is carried by military body bearers to the US Capitol Rotunda
A state funeral service is scheduled to take place at the National Cathedral, an Episcopal church in Washington that has also hosted funerals for former presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush.
Current President Biden is set to deliver the eulogy for his fellow Democrat.
All four living former presidents—Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump—are anticipated to attend.
President Biden has declared Thursday a national day of mourning, resulting in the closure of federal government offices for the day.
He has also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff for 30 days, which is customary, ensuring this will occur during Mr. Trump’s inauguration on January 20, a situation that has faced criticism from the Republican.
As the first president to reach the age of 100, Mr. Carter had been receiving hospice care since February 2023 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he passed away and will be laid to rest beside his late wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter.
