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The dissolution of one of the most enduring power transfer rituals in the United States – the outgoing president welcoming the new president to the steps of the North Portico, then riding with them to the United States Capitol – is just the beginning One of the assets lives on when they leave Washington.
Instead of a president and a first lady, the Bidens will be greeted by Chief White House bailiff Timothy Harleth, according to a source familiar with the events and planning of the day. Harleth, a Trump recruited in 2017 from the Trump International Hotel in Washington, is unlikely to remain in the Biden administration, the source said, noting that the role of chief bailiff will likely be filled by someone more familiar with the new president and the first. Lady.
On the afternoon of inauguration day, then President Biden will participate in a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, along with former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. It is during these hours that most of the Bidens’ personal effects will be moved to the White House and unpacked, according to another source familiar with the practices of the executive residence.
“Moving furniture and vacuuming, cleaning baseboards, vacuuming curtains, wiping blinds, cleaning chandeliers, washing windows, deep dusting”, are areas covered during traditional move-in. ‘a new president and his family, according to the source of the residence. “This cleanup will begin as soon as Donald Trump and Melania Trump leave.”
Particular attention from this move will be given to bedrooms in the residence, where new mattresses and box springs for the first incoming family are standard operating procedures, according to the source. Still, part of the bedroom setup will be markedly different with the Bidens compared to the Assets: the Bidens will share a bedroom. Melania Trump spent the majority of her time in the White House in the large bedroom usually reserved for presidents and their spouses, adjacent to West Sitting Hall, according to a source familiar with the arrangement.
“Donald Trump slept in his own bedroom, which was previously a study or den during other administrations,” the source said of the arrangement.
Moving trucks were spotted in the aisles of Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. On Monday, with movers loading carts of boxes and items and rolling them into the private club, which will serve as home afterward. the White House of Trumps. , which is the plan for now, said another source familiar with the planned living conditions and the safety arrangements in place.
Snub series
The Biden inauguration day snub follows a series of shattered norms and childish behavior that come directly from the President of the United States, who has expressed his disinterest in preserving any semblance of decency towards the man who will succeed. him.
Trump, according to multiple sources, is even considering whether to write a letter to Biden to leave for him in the Oval Office, a standard tradition.
Melania Trump, who has not been seen in public for more than two weeks, has not contacted Jill Biden, which has disappointed expectations that she would continue to extend hospitality to her successor, welcoming him to a tour.
Even after controversial election cycles, first ladies and presidents have put aside their grudges and egos, bruised as they are, until now.
“I remember the two interactions that First Lady Hillary Clinton had with Barbara Bush in 1992 when she arrived at the White House, and in 2000 when she welcomed Laura Bush,” said a former senior official. from the Clinton administration to CNN. “Both were after controversial campaigns and the two visits couldn’t have been more gracious and welcoming.”
And while the Bidens have a unique perspective after visiting the White House several times throughout Joe Biden’s political career, the lack of politeness on the part of the Trumps stings.
“It is abominable,” said another former White House official who worked in the Trump administration.
A certain tradition holds
However, small measures of decorum during the transition are practiced. CNN has learned that at least three Trump administration officials have used private communication channels to contact their Biden administration counterparts over the past month, although the president has not acknowledged his loss.
Over the weekend, Trump’s official White House photographer Shealah Craighead was spotted by CNN giving a tour of the White House photo office to Adam Schultz and Chandler West, the new official photographer, respectively. and Biden photo editor. As photographers flag one end of the spectrum, Vice President Mike Pence will flag the other.
On Thursday, Pence met for the first time with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the highest contact to date between outgoing and incoming administrations. Their conversation was described as cordial, with Pence offering congratulations and help, according to a person familiar with the matter. CNN contacted Second Lady Karen Pence’s office to see if she had made the same gesture to incoming second gentleman Doug Emhoff and did not receive a response.
On Sunday, the Pences were still performing official duties, visiting the troops at Fort Drum in New York. Karen Pence was moved as she recalled her last official trip during her remarks.
“Here I am,” she said, pausing between sentences on a podium inside the hangar, trying to catch up before more tears rolled down her face. “It is such an honor to be here with you.”
Invitations were sent to Trump’s Circle on Sunday asking them to attend – and bring up to five guests – his departure celebration with Melania Trump at Joint Base Andrews, before boarding Air Force One early Wednesday morning for their last trip. on the legendary plane, which will drop them off in Florida.
Trump has told staff he wants his landing on the tarmac to include all the pomp and circumstance he feels he deserves, including a 21-gun salute, a red carpet, and a military-colored guard. On Monday afternoon, an administration official told CNN that the bells and whistles could all be aimed at a very large audience – the President – and a small audience of others: “So far he there hasn’t been a lot of RSVP. “
CNN’s Kate Andersen Brower, Jeff Zeleny, and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
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