There were times when Jimmy Carter annoyed his successors in the White House, Democrat and Republican. He never seemed to mind.
The nation’s five living presidents came together on Thursday to honor former President Jimmy Carter in a pomp-filled funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral, creating a moment of solemn respite from the capital city’s political tensions and whirl of activity in preparation for a new administration.
Donald Trump and Mike Pence briefly greeted each other and shook hands at Jimmy Carter’s funeral service on Thursday.
Thursday's service will cap off six days of remembrance for Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100. After the funeral, Carter will return to Georgia to be buried in his hometown of Plains, next to his beloved wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter.
The casket of former President Jimmy Carter arrives for a state funeral at the National Cathedral, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Washington. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times via AP, Pool) President Joe Biden touches the casket of former President Jimmy Carter during a state funeral service at Washington National Cathedral in Washington,
9:50 a.m. Trump shook hands with former Vice President Mike Pence, marking the first time the two have been seen publicly in the same room in four years. 9:50 a.m. Trump and his wife Melania Trump arrived at the funeral and were seated next to Obama.
Former first lady Michelle Obama didn't attend the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter. Except for Michelle Obama, all of the living former presidents and their spouses were at the funeral Thursday.
The handshake happened almost four years to the day when Trump supporters called for Pence's execution during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Melania Trump dressed up for a solemn occasion on Jan. 9: the state funeral at Washington National Cathedral for President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29, 2024. All living presidents attended the event on Thursday, which was declared a national day of mourning by President Joe Biden.
Former President Jimmy Carter's funeral takes place today at Washington National Cathedral. Follow Newsweek's live blog.
Former US presidents and vice presidents attended the funeral of the 39th President Jimmy Carter on Thursday in Washington, D.C.