In a poignant ceremony steeped in tradition, the body of former US President Jimmy Carter arrived at the US Capitol on Tuesday to lie in state, marking a solemn moment of national remembrance for the country’s 39th president. Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, was widely recognized for his post-presidential humanitarian work, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
The ceremonial transfer began in Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia, where his body embarked on its final journey to Washington, D.C. Upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews, the former president’s flag-draped casket was carried aboard a presidential US Air Force jet. The snow-dusted streets of the nation’s capital set a somber backdrop as hundreds gathered to witness the procession.
The funeral cortege made its way from the US Navy Memorial to Capitol Hill, with Carter’s casket carried atop a traditional military gun carriage. The procession route retraced the path Carter took during his 1977 inauguration parade along Pennsylvania Avenue, a symbolic gesture honoring his time in office and his enduring legacy.
The Capitol Rotunda, where Carter’s body now lies in state, has become a focal point for national mourning. A live broadcast by PBS captured images of the public entering the Rotunda to pay their respects. Many visitors paused for moments of silent reflection, paying tribute to a man who devoted much of his life to public service.
“I paid my respects to President Jimmy Carter as he lies in state in the US Capitol Rotunda today,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin posted on X (formerly Twitter). “On behalf of the entire Department of Defense, we join the Carter family and all Americans in celebrating this extraordinary life, legacy, and service to our nation.”
A brief service was held in the Rotunda, attended by members of Carter’s family, congressional leaders, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Chief Justice John Roberts. The ceremony underscored Carter’s significance in American history as a leader committed to peace, human rights, and public welfare.
Carter’s military service as a submariner in the US Navy was also honored during the procession. Hundreds of service members participated in the event, emphasizing his lifelong dedication to serving the nation.
Carter’s body is now the 13th of a US president to lie in state at the Capitol, a tradition that began with Abraham Lincoln in 1865. The ceremony’s timing carried additional weight, occurring a day after the anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Unlike that tumultuous day, this year’s certification of President Joe Biden’s reelection proceeded without incident, under heightened security measures.
A state funeral for Carter will take place on Thursday at the Washington National Cathedral. President Biden, who shared a personal bond with Carter, is set to deliver the eulogy. The ceremony is expected to draw all four living former presidents—Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump—underscoring Carter’s enduring influence across political lines.
In a show of respect, President Biden has declared Thursday a national day of mourning, ordering all federal offices closed and flags flown at half-staff for 30 days. This gesture will continue until the upcoming presidential inauguration later this month.
Carter’s final resting place will be in Plains, Georgia, where he will be laid to rest beside his wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in August 2024. The couple’s lifelong partnership and commitment to public service have left an indelible mark on American society.
The national farewell to Carter highlights his legacy as a president who prioritized peace, human rights, and humanitarian efforts both during and after his time in office. His passing marks the end of an era, but his contributions to the nation and the world will be remembered for generations to come.
