President-elect Donald Trump starts presidential duties by paying his respects to former President at Capitol Rotunda

In a solemn moment at the Capitol Rotunda, President-elect Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, paid their respects to former President Jimmy Carter, whose remains lie in state ahead of the funeral services scheduled for Thursday. The 39th president of the United States, Carter ed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia.

Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, walked into the Rotunda hand-in-hand with Melania. They paused in front of Carter's flag-draped casket, standing in silence for a minute before leaving the room. This gesture of respect comes despite Trump's recent criticisms of Carter's presidency, particularly regarding the Panama Canal treaties.

Carter's body was transported to Washington, D.C., after a series of tributes in Georgia, including a procession through his hometown. The state funeral, set to take place at the Washington National Cathedral, will see participation from Trump, outgoing President Joe Biden, and other former presidents.

Starting his presidential responsibilities

Despite no being in office yet, Donald Trump has started off with his presidential duties and this is proof of it, as he now prepares to take control of the country after visiting a very important place in the United States in this respectful event.

The Capitol Rotunda, a space reserved for honoring the nation's most distinguished figures, has seen a steady stream of visitors paying their respects to Carter. Among them were Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Mike Johnson, who delivered eulogies celebrating Carter's legacy as a humanitarian and a leader who faced significant challenges during his presidency.

As the nation mourns the loss of a former president, the funeral service will mark the culmination of several days of national remembrance and honor for Jimmy Carter, a man whose post-presidential legacy has been widely celebrated.