The remains of former US President Jimmy Carter have arrived in Washington, where three days of official mourning will be declared and they will be displayed at the Capitol before the funeral on Thursday, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Carter's flag-draped coffin was transported by “Air Force One“ next to a hearse decorated with the presidential coat of arms.
The motorcade headed to the U.S. Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue, where the remains were transferred to a horse-drawn gun carriage for the funeral procession to the Capitol.
A bipartisan delegation of members of the U.S. Congress paid tribute to Carter in the Capitol rotunda, the Associated Press reported. Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff represented Carter's home state. Also in attendance were Vice President Kamala Harris, members of President Joe Biden's cabinet, and three of the nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court - John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan.
Harris, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson delivered speeches honoring Carter's faith, military service and dedication to public service, including his hands-on contributions to building homes for the needy through Habitat for Humanity.
"Jimmy Carter was that rare example of a gifted man who also acted with humility, modesty and kindness," Harris said, recalling Carter's unassuming approach to communicating with voters. He spent the night at the homes of his supporters to "share food at their table and listen to their thoughts," she said.
The state funeral for the 39th U.S. president coincides with preparations for Republican President-elect Donald Trump to take over from Democratic President Joe Biden. Security in Washington is tighter than usual. The Capitol is surrounded by miles of fencing.
Democrat Carter, who served one term in the White House since 1977, until 1981, died on December 29 at the age of 100.
The former Georgia peanut farmer struggled to cope with a weak economy and the Iran hostage crisis while in office, failing to win a second term in a race against Republican Ronald Reagan.
Over the decades, he has earned a reputation as a fervent humanitarian, and many believe he did better as a former president than as president. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Carter lived longer than any other U.S. president, spending nearly two years in hospice care before his death. His last public appearance was at the funeral of his wife Rosalynn in November 2023, where he used a wheelchair and appeared frail.
In August, his grandson Jason Carter said that Carter was looking forward to casting his ballot for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump.
Biden ordered flags on government buildings to be flown at half-staff for 30 days as a sign of mourning. This angered Trump, who said they should not be lowered during his inauguration.
At a press conference at “Mar-a-Lago“ Trump reiterated his desire to regain control of the Panama Canal, which Carter ceded to Panama during his presidency.
Both Biden and Trump are expected to attend Carter's funeral service on Thursday.
Carter's remains will then be transported back to his home in Georgia. He will be buried later that day in his hometown of Plains.