President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump paid tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter as he lay in state Wednesday night.
The Trumps arrived at the U.S. Capitol just before 5:30 p.m. and were greeted by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana).
The Trumps stood solemnly and silently in front of Carter's casket for more than a minute, paying their respects to the 39th president of the United States.
After Carter's death last week, the president-elect wrote about the president's kinship in a post on Truth Social, offering kind words.
“The challenges Jimmy faced as president came at a pivotal time for our country, and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.” “There is,” President Trump said.
The Trumps walked through the halls of Congress, followed shortly before reaching Carter's casket by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) and his wife, Kimberly.
A reporter asked President Trump how it felt to be back at the Capitol.
“It feels so good. There's no better feeling,” he added.
President Trump also answered a reporter's question about whether he had come to the Capitol to urge Senate Republicans to combine his agenda into a single bill.
“We're looking at one bill versus two bills, but whatever it is, it doesn't matter. We're going to get results and make America great again,” he said.
President Trump on Sunday I wrote “Lawmakers are starting to work on one strong bill,” he said in a post on Truth Social, before highlighting key issues such as the border, energy and renewing tax cuts.
After paying his respects to Carter, Trump, accompanied by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and Thune, met with Republican senators. When Trump entered the venue, the audience erupted in applause.
At one point, Melania Trump also told reporters that she was happy to be back in Washington, D.C.
“Mrs. President, are you happy to be back?” a reporter asked.
“Yes, of course!” she replied with a smile and a wave.
