WASHINGTON – And just like that, it was over.
Joe Biden departed the White House for the final time as president on Monday, ending a half-century career in politics that took him from a county council seat in Delaware to the United States Senate, the vice presidency, and ultimately, the highest elected office in the land.
A long motorcade of black limousines and SUVs rolled down the driveway of the White House North Lawn at 10:39 a.m., through the iron gates surrounding the presidential mansion and turned toward the U.S. Capitol.
In the back seat of the presidential limo was Biden, taking his last ride as leader of the free world. Beside him, President-elect Donald Trump, who would take the oath of office and assume the presidency at noon.
Four years ago, Biden made the 10-minute drive to the Capitol without his predecessor.
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Trump, bitter over his loss to Biden and in denial about his defeat, departed the White House the morning of the inauguration aboard the presidential helicopter. He refused to participate in the ceremonies for the man who would replace him, as previous outgoing presidents have done for decades. He was in Palm Beach, Florida, when Biden’s swearing-in ceremony began.
Biden, however, a believer of traditions and institutions, argued that Americans want to see the peaceful transfer of power. So on Monday, he rode to the Capitol with Trump, whose two nonconsecutive terms will bookend Biden’s single, four-year term as president.
Asked by reporters before his departure how he felt, Biden responded: “Good. It’s a beautiful day.”
Biden to Trump: ‘Welcome home’
The changing of the guard started early Monday when Biden and first lady Jill Biden greeted Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, at the White House for a ceremonial tea.
“Welcome home,” Biden said to Trump as he stepped out of an SUV at the White House North Portico .
The Trumps walked up the steps of the White House toward its front entrance hand in hand.
Melania Trump arrived at the White House at the start of her husband’s first term carrying a Tiffany Blue box that she presented to Barack and Michelle Obama. She was empty-handed on Monday.
Also notably absent were the hugs and European kisses the Obamas welcomed their replacements with as they presented themselves at the North Portico. While the handoff from the Obamas was strikingly warm, the couples’ handshake with the Bidens was decidedly formal.
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Trump fiddled with the button on his overcoat but finally left it unbuttoned as the couples posed for photos. Melania Trump put her hand on her head to keep her hat down as a gust of wind threatened to knock if off as all four headed inside the presidential mansion.
Atop the White House, the American flag flew at half-staff in honor of former President Jimmy Carter, who died last Dec. 29. Trump had protested that the flag ritual would coincide with his inauguration.
Vice President Kamala Harris‘ exit from her Naval Observatory residence was a lower key affair. She and second gentleman Doug Emhoff said their public goodbyes on Thursday as Harris continued the vice presidential tradition of signing the desk in her Ceremonial Office. Staff and alumni of Harris’ operation stuffed themselves into the ornate room.
Every vice president has used the office, with one exception, since 1960. It will become JD Vance’s workplace next.
Harris lost the 2024 election to Trump after taking over as the Democratic nominee from Biden. Her political future is unclear. She is considering a run for California governor in 2026.
“It is not my nature to go quietly into the night,” she said with a laugh at her desk signing. “So don’t worry about that.”
A spokesperson for Harris said the former California attorney general and U.S. senator would decide what comes next in her career after the inauguration. She and Emhoff will fly to Los Angeles on Monday. The couple own a home in Brentwood, which had been under evacuation orders amidst the wildfires. California will be their primary residence.
Following Trump’s inauguration, the Bidens and the Trumps walked out of the Capitol’s East Front and headed to a waiting Blackhawk military helicopter.
After handshakes and farewells, the Bidens boarded the chopper for the short flight to Joint Base Andrews in suburban Maryland, where Biden will receive a send-off and give his first speech as former president.
From there, Biden, now a private citizen, will travel to California for a vacation.
Michael Collins and Francesca Chambers cover the White House. Follow Collins on X @mcollinsNEWS and Chambers @fran_chambers.
As Joe Biden exits the White House for the last time as president, he makes history by welcoming his successor, Donald Trump, to take over the highest office in the country. In a peaceful and graceful transition of power, Biden bids farewell to the American people and expresses his hope for a brighter future under the new administration. Trump, in turn, thanks Biden for his service and promises to work tirelessly for the American people. The historic moment symbolizes the peaceful transfer of power that is a hallmark of democracy in the United States.
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Joe Biden, White House, president, Trump, Joe Biden exits White House, Trump inauguration, political transition, United States presidency, Joe Biden farewell, presidential transition, Trump presidency, White House farewell
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