Jimmy Carter Honored with State Funeral in Washington \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president, began his final journey in Washington, D.C., with state funeral rites honoring his life and legacy. After departing the Carter Presidential Center in Georgia, his remains were flown to Maryland and carried to the Capitol, where he lies in state. Ceremonies include eulogies, hymns, and military honors reflecting Carter’s faith, service, and Naval Academy roots. The state funeral culminates Thursday at the Washington National Cathedral, with President Joe Biden delivering a eulogy.
Jimmy Carter’s Final Journey Quick Looks
- State Funeral Ceremonies: Carter lies in state at the Capitol Rotunda before a funeral at Washington National Cathedral.
- Military Honors: His remains were carried by military pallbearers, with stops symbolizing his Naval Academy legacy.
- Eulogies Delivered: Vice President Kamala Harris and others celebrated Carter’s humility and dedication to service.
- Carter’s Legacy: Known for his faith, military service, and humanitarian work, Carter’s influence is remembered fondly.
- Trump’s Commentary: Former President Trump criticized Carter’s Panama Canal decision during the solemn rites.
Deep Look
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, has returned to Washington, D.C., for three days of state funeral rites honoring his life and enduring legacy. Carter, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100, is being remembered not only as a president but also as a global humanitarian, a man of faith, and an advocate for humility and service. His final journey reflects both the grandeur reserved for a former commander-in-chief and the simplicity that defined his personal ethos.
The Journey to Washington
Carter’s remains departed from the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta on Tuesday morning, accompanied by his family and military honors. Since Saturday, his casket had lain in repose at the center, allowing mourners to pay their respects. The journey to Washington began with a solemn departure ceremony at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia.
Eight military pallbearers carried Carter’s flag-draped casket across the tarmac, where cannons fired a 21-gun salute. The casket was lifted into Special Air Mission 39, the official aircraft reserved for transporting presidents. Though Carter never traveled on this specific plane as president—it was commissioned during George H.W. Bush’s administration—it symbolized the dignity and respect of the office he once held.
Upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, the former president’s casket was met with a similar display of military precision. Another 21-gun salute marked the moment, accompanied by the sound of a military band. A motorcade then carried the casket into Washington, D.C., pausing briefly at the U.S. Navy Memorial. This stop, symbolic of Carter’s naval service as a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and submariner, served as a tribute to the only president to have attended the prestigious institution.
From the memorial, the casket was transferred to a horse-drawn caisson for its journey to the Capitol. Military pallbearers carried the casket up the Capitol steps and into the Rotunda, where it was placed on the historic Lincoln catafalque—a wooden platform built in 1865 to hold Abraham Lincoln’s casket. The somber setting provided an opportunity for the nation’s leaders to honor Carter’s memory.
Ceremonial Honors in the Capitol
The Capitol Rotunda became the site of tributes from some of the nation’s highest-ranking officials. Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and House Speaker Mike Johnson delivered eulogies reflecting on Carter’s life and contributions.
Harris praised Carter for his unyielding faith and humility, noting how he campaigned in 1976 by staying in the homes of supporters and listening to their concerns. “Jimmy Carter was that all-too-rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty, and grace,” she said.
The U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club performed the hymn “My Country, ’Tis of Thee,” while bipartisan congressional leaders, joined by Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, placed wreaths near the casket. Members of Carter’s family, including his grandchildren, wiped away tears during the proceedings, a poignant reminder of the personal loss they bear alongside the nation.
Symbolism and Irony in the Honors
The state funeral rites for Carter are steeped in both symbolism and a quiet irony. Carter, a devout Baptist who often described himself as a “born-again Christian,” had hymns like “Amazing Grace” and “Blessed Assurance” played during his departure from Georgia. These songs reflect the deep faith that guided his life and political career.
Yet Carter was known for eschewing the pomp and ceremony often associated with high office. As president, he was uncomfortable with many of the ceremonial trappings, famously questioning the need for the Marine Band to play “Hail to the Chief.” However, he reluctantly accepted it as part of the job. The song, now emblematic of presidential respect, played again during his departure from Plains, Georgia, and as his remains were carried into the Capitol.
Carter’s preference for simplicity extended to his attire and public image. He once addressed the nation wearing a cardigan, now a relic displayed at his presidential library. Even his oath of office avoided his full name, James Earl Carter Jr., which has been printed on memorial cards handed to mourners during these rites.
Carter’s Complex Presidential Legacy
From 1977 to 1981, Carter served as president during a tumultuous period in American history. His administration was marked by significant achievements, including the Camp David Accords, which brokered peace between Egypt and Israel, and his dedication to human rights. However, his presidency also faced challenges, such as the Iran hostage crisis and economic struggles, which contributed to his defeat in the 1980 election.
In the decades following his presidency, Carter redefined the role of a former president, dedicating his life to humanitarian work and global advocacy. His efforts with Habitat for Humanity, his commitment to free and fair elections through The Carter Center, and his Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 exemplify his enduring impact.
Trump’s Controversial Remarks
Despite the solemn nature of the funeral rites, former President Donald Trump reignited controversy by criticizing Carter’s decision to cede control of the Panama Canal to Panama in 1977. Trump, speaking during a news conference in Florida, described the decision as “a bad deal” but added that he “liked Carter as a man.” The remarks, unprompted and seemingly unnecessary, served as a reminder of Carter’s polarizing policies during his presidency.
Looking Ahead
Carter’s state funeral rites will continue on Wednesday and culminate Thursday at the Washington National Cathedral, where President Joe Biden will deliver a eulogy. Biden, who has often spoken of Carter as a mentor and inspiration, called him “a great American who exemplified the best of our nation.”
After the Washington ceremonies, Carter’s remains will return to Georgia for a private burial near his hometown of Plains. His final resting place will be a modest site, reflecting the simplicity that defined his life.
As the nation bids farewell to its oldest living president, Carter’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of humility, faith, and service. His life story—from a peanut farmer to the Oval Office to a global humanitarian—serves as an enduring example of leadership rooted in compassion and principle.
Jimmy Carter Honored
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