Jimmy Carter’s Casket Arrives at U.S. Capitol for Final Tribute
Washington, D.C. – Former President Jimmy Carter’s casket was carried through the snow-covered streets of Washington, D.C., on Tuesday afternoon, as he received a military tribute and laid in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Members of Congress, Vice President Kamala Harris, Cabinet secretaries, and Carter’s family gathered to pay their respects in a solemn service. Senate Majority Leader John Thune honored him as a "Navy veteran, peanut farmer, governor of Georgia, and president of the United States,” while House Speaker Mike Johnson praised him for modeling virtues of service and citizenship.
Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024, was the oldest living president in U.S. history. His casket, draped in the American flag, was transferred from a horse-drawn caisson to the Capitol, where members of the public would have the opportunity to pay their respects until the state funeral on Thursday at the National Cathedral.
Before arriving in the Capitol, a farewell ceremony was held at Carter’s boyhood home in Plains, Georgia, where over 23,000 individuals paid their respects during six days of observances. Jason Carter, the former president’s grandson, highlighted his remarkable journey from a small-town peanut farmer to the presidency.
The state funeral will include eulogies from President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, who is expected to attend. After the Capitol observance, Carter’s remains will be flown back to Georgia for a final private service and burial beside his beloved wife, Rosalynn, at their family farm.