The elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, and his wife, Melania, visited the catafalque of former President Jimmy Carter this Wednesday, set up in the Capitol Rotunda.
Carter, who passed away on December 29 at one hundred years old, is being honored with state honors in recognition of his legacy as the 39th president of the United States.
Donald Trump, accompanied by Melania, walked to the center of the Capitol Rotunda, where Carter's remains lay on Lincoln's catafalque, covered with the United States flag and surrounded by a military honor guard.
The couple stood in front of the casket for about a minute before stepping away.
The visit, although brief, temporarily interrupted the steady stream of citizens who were forming long lines to bid farewell to the former president.
The relationship between Trump and Carter was at times tense.
During his 2024 campaign, the now elected president criticized Carter, particularly for the Panama Canal treaties, signed during the term of the former Democratic president and that Trump now threatens to reverse.
However, the solemnity of the moment reflected a brief respite this Wednesday amidst past political tensions.
Among those present in the Rotunda were members of Congress, Capitol staff, and figures such as Kevin McCarthy, former Speaker of the House.
Lynda Robb and Luci Baines Johnson, daughters of President Lyndon Johnson, also attended. Luci Baines Johnson said an emotional farewell, blowing a kiss toward the casket.
Carter's altruism and humanitarian work after leaving the White House resonated with the attendees.
During his years out of power, Carter battled illnesses, promoted democracy, and worked on housing projects for Habitat for Humanity, leaving an indelible mark on the United States and the world.
The tributes began last Saturday in Plains, Georgia, with a procession of the casket through Carter's hometown.
On Tuesday, his body was transported from the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta to Washington, where it was received with a solemn procession and taken to the Capitol Rotunda.
There, Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Mike Johnson offered words of recognition.
“In the face of illness, President Jimmy Carter brought medicines that saved lives. In the face of conflict, he was a mediator for peace. In the face of discrimination, he reminded us that we are all made in the image of God”, Johnson emphasized.
This Thursday, a state funeral will be held at the National Cathedral in Washington, where President Joe Biden is expected to attend and deliver a eulogy, along with other former presidents, including Trump.
Later, Carter's remains will be transported to Georgia for a private funeral at the Maranatha Baptist Church, located in Plains, where he will be buried alongside his wife, Rosalynn Carter, in the grounds near their family home.
Carter, who governed from 1977 to 1981, was known for his honesty and commitment to justice. Although he faced economic and political challenges during his presidency, his legacy as a humanitarian leader and advocate for democracy has been reassessed over time.
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