Trump farewell scheduled for Wednesday morning before Biden’s oath



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US President Donald Trump has decided to skip the January 20 inauguration of his successor, Joe Biden, on the US Capitol.

Photographer: Samuel Corum / Bloomberg

White House officials are planning a farewell ceremony for Donald Trump as he leaves Washington for the last time as president on Wednesday morning, according to a copy of the invitation seen by Bloomberg News.

The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. at Joint Base Andrews just outside the nation’s capital, where the outgoing president will depart on Air Force One for Florida. Invitations have been distributed to supporters, including former administration officials and other funders, asking them to arrive before 7.15 am.

Trump decided to skip the Jan.20 inauguration of his successor, Joe Biden, at the U.S. Capitol, becoming the first living U.S. president in more than a century to choose not to attend the regular exchange of power. Instead, Trump will be at his resort town of Mar-a-Lago as the new president is sworn in at noon that day.

A White House spokesperson declined to comment.

Some White House aides will be on the South Lawn for the take-off of the presidential helicopter with Trump on board, though attendance is limited. Strict security measures throughout downtown Washington and particularly near the White House will make campus access too difficult for outside visitors.

Trump’s decision not to attend the inauguration was announced on Jan. 8 by the president, two days after a crowd of his followers ransacked the Capitol in a riot that left five people dead. An unprecedented security cordon now encircles the heart of the nation’s capital following this attack.

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