Trump ends his presidency in Florida.
Skips Biden inauguration, suggests political return
WASHINGTON – Outgoing President Donald Trump spent his final minutes as president at his Mar-a-lago estate in Florida, becoming the first president in more than 150 years to skip his successor’s inauguration.
Trump also suggested he will seek to remain in political life.
“We will be back in some form,” Trump told supporters during an early farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews that featured a 21-gun salute and a military band playing “Hail to the Chief.”
“Have a good life,” he added. “We will see you soon.”
In a nine-minute speech on “an incredible four years,” Trump recounted highlights that included the creation of the Space Force, deregulation and tax cuts.
The outgoing president did not mention his two impeachments, nor the more than 400,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19. He did warn supporters to “be careful” in the face of the “horrible virus.”
Trump, did not cite Biden by name, but did joke: “I hope they don’t raise your taxes ... but if they do, I told you so.” He also wished the new administration “great luck and great success.”
The White House said he left a note of encouragement for Biden.
Air Force One took off from Andrews at 9 a.m. as the PA system played Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” Meanwhile, Biden and members of Congress attended a church service in downtown Washington.
Trump landed in South Florida shortly before 11 a.m., little more than an hour before Biden became president. Trump was at Mar-a-lago, his Palm Beach club he called the “Winter White House,” as the clock struck noon, ending a contentious presidential term that closed with days of seclusion after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Trump traveled to Palm Beach on Wednesday morning with all the powers of the presidency, including possession of the military “football” with the nuclear codes.
That piece of equipment was turned off at noon, along with all the other duties of the presidency.
Trump’s exit from the White House came just hours after he released a list of nearly 150 pardons and commutations.
Shortly after arriving in Palm Beach, Trump issued one last pardon: The exhusband of Fox News host Judge Jeanine Pirro. Albert Pirro Jr., a former real estate associate of Trump’s, was convicted on conspiracy and tax evasion charges.
A lower-key send-off
The crowd at the Andrews ceremony was smaller than expected, as many political supporters chose not to attend.
Republican congressional leaders Mitch Mcconnell and Kevin Mccarthy, both critical of Trump in the wake of the Capitol insurrection, were not at the send-off. They attended the church service with Biden. In invitations to supporters, the White House said guests could bring up to five people to the event, a sign they were trying to pack the crowd. Even former aides received invitations but sent regrets.
That group included Anthony Scaramucci, who served as White House communications director for 11 days in 2017 and is now an outspoken critic of Trump.
Scaramucci said he wouldn’t be attending the Andrews ceremony: “Uh, yeah, I have an appointment to get my fingernails pulled out, so I can’t make it.”
Trump’s final days
The Air Force One ride to Mar-a-lago capped a presidency like no other – and a transition like no other.
There were disputes over a COVID-19 pandemic, a government shutdown, immigration and racial unrest. Trump was impeached twice: the first time over pressuring the government of Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son, the second time over accusations of inciting the insurrection at the Capitol.
Trump spent the past two months protesting his election loss to Biden in an unprecedented manner. He filed lawsuits, pressured lawmakers and repeated baseless claims of widespread fraud in the election.
His accusations of election fraud in a half-dozen states fueled extremist supporters who stormed the Capitol, demanding that lawmakers overturn the election.
Trump has spent much of the time since speaking privately with supporters.
Before Wednesday, Trump had not made a public appearance since a Jan. 12 trip to South Texas to deliver an immigration speech near the border.