Trump to leave Washington, DC at 8 a.m. on inauguration day

WASHINGTON – President Trump will leave Washington early Wednesday with a farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in, a guest told the Post.

Breaking with a century of tradition, Trump will not stay to participate in the swearing in of his successor and will instead leave the White House and fly to his Mar-A-Lago complex aboard Air Force One around 8 in the morning, the source said.

Guests were invited to arrive at 7.15 a.m. at Joint Base Andrews in Md., Where a crowd of several hundred supporters and former staff will bid Trump farewell as he leaves Washington for the last time in as president.

According to Bloomberg News, which first announced the ceremony, guests were told they could invite up to five guests and would have to wear masks at all times.

Details of the event are still being finalized, but a color guard and a 21 rifle salute – usually reserved as a military honor – are said to be under consideration.

Biden will be sworn in outside the U.S. Capitol at noon in a scaled-down ceremony that reflects the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and this month’s deadly siege of Congress.

Only a small number of guests will be allowed to enter the heavily barricaded grounds of the Capitol, which will be guarded by thousands of National Guard soldiers.

Biden urged his supporters not to travel to DC, and the traditional Pennsylvania Avenue parade was scrapped in favor of a “virtual” parade.

Earlier this month, Trump announced that he would not be attending Biden’s inauguration as he continues to claim the election was stolen from him.

Vice President Mike Pence will attend the inauguration.