5 US presidents – previous and current – put aside political variations to pay their closing respects to former President Jimmy Carter at his funeral within the Washington Nationwide Cathedral. Carter, who died on December 29, 2024, on the age of 100, was remembered for his legacy of public service, humility, and post-presidency humanitarian work.
The occasion noticed outgoing President Joe Biden and First Girl Jill Biden seated alongside former Presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush, Invoice Clinton, and their companions. Former president Donald Trump, set to re-enter the Oval Workplace in ten days, attended the occasion along with his spouse, Melania Trump.
The funeral introduced collectively different political leaders, together with Vice President Kamala Harris, former Vice President Mike Pence, and their predecessors as properly. The ambiance was marked by moments of solemnity, handshakes, and occasional glances and awkward smiles.
Lovely moments from the service at Washington Nationwide Cathedral this morning honoring former President Jimmy Carter. pic.twitter.com/CwikJWLbjQ
— The Carter Middle (@CarterCenter) January 9, 2025
In his eulogy, Biden praised Carter’s integrity and his transformative function as a personal citizen post-presidency. “To make each minute of our time on earth rely, that is the very definition of a very good life,” Biden mentioned, as per BBC.
Trump’s former Vice President, Mike Pence, shared a well mannered handshake with Trump regardless of their fractured relationship following the Capitol riots of January 6, 2021. Pence’s resolution to certify Biden’s presidential victory and his subsequent 2024 presidential bid towards Trump strained their ties.
Honored to attend the state funeral for President Jimmy Carter at @WNCathedral in the present day. President Carter served America with distinction within the @USNavy, as Governor of Georgia and President of the US. @KarenPence and I categorical our gratitude and deepest sympathies to his… pic.twitter.com/bpqFsjOux7
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) January 9, 2025
Kamala Harris, who misplaced to Trump within the 2024 presidential election, maintained a distance, avoiding any formal interplay with Trump. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, nonetheless, was seen shaking fingers with the previous president.
Worldwide dignitaries, together with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and UN Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres had been additionally among the many attendees. Trudeau, who has typically been a goal of Trump’s verbal jabs, appeared stoic, at the same time as Trump referred to him as “Governor Trudeau” in current weeks.
📸 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has arrived on the Nationwide Cathedral to attend the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. pic.twitter.com/FV0hDETGYU
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) January 9, 2025
In a means, former President Gerald Ford was additionally current, along with his son, Steve, delivering a eulogy penned by his late father. The eulogy recalled the particular bond between Carter and Ford, saying how the 2 had made a pact to talk at one another’s funerals – a dedication Carter honoured when Ford died in 2006. Ford’s eulogy shared, “By destiny, for a short season, Jimmy Carter and I had been rivals, however later, it led to probably the most enduring of friendships.”