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The dignitaries gathered on the northern side of the National Cathedral would hardly be seen as ardent supporters of former President Jimmy Carter, who was honored one last time in Washington on Thursday. In fact, until quite recently, Carter was likely the least welcomed member of the exclusive group known as The Presidents Club.
Nonetheless, as the world bid farewell to Carter in a city that never felt entirely like home to him, those five successors each carried a piece of a presidency that he profoundly reshaped.
Bill Clinton’s rise as a pragmatic Southern Governor was influenced significantly by Carter’s practical approach. George W. Bush’s folksy persona became a strength rather than a hindrance due to Carter’s background as a peanut farmer, with neither of them emphasizing their elite educational backgrounds. Barack Obama, with his clinical demeanor, found a kindred spirit in Carter during an era marked by global turmoil. Meanwhile, Joe Biden’s moralizing tone seems less out of place when one recalls that Carter was still teaching Sunday school in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, until recently.
Then there’s Donald Trump, an unconventional presence who, like Carter, doesn’t fit the mold of Washington insiders. Trump returned to the capital for Carter’s farewell, poised to commence his second term as President in just 11 days. In a way, Trump embodies the culmination of the disruption Carter initiated nearly fifty years ago. Both presidents entered Washington with distinct visions for the office and a clear disregard for its traditional norms, leaving indelible marks—albeit very different ones—on this quintessentially American institution.
In honoring Carter one last time, the former Presidents came together in an unlikely display of national unity, a sentiment that arises only when one of their own passes away or is on the verge of joining their ranks. The living former Presidents and their spouses sat together in the front pews of the grand cathedral, showcasing a rare moment of dignity that is seldom seen. The last gathering of this kind occurred in 2018, at the memorial for President George H.W. Bush. (Michelle Obama was the only absent spouse this week due to a scheduling conflict in Hawaii, according to an aide, and it remains unclear if she will attend Trump’s inauguration on January 20.)
This show of tradition was just one of the many stark contradictions woven into Carter’s farewell—exactly as he would have anticipated with his characteristic mischievous grin.
Carter, arguably the most decent individual to hold the Oval Office, was often dismissed as a simple country gentleman, leaving office as a one-term anomaly. Yet today, he is celebrated as an unparalleled champion of democracy and a globe-trotting (if sometimes unconventional) diplomat.
As Jonathan Alter noted in his TIME cover story reflecting on Carter’s legacy, it seems that the former President used his time in the White House as a rather ungraceful stepping stone to become a global conscience over the course of fifty years—culminating in Thursday’s poignant farewell in D.C.
Following Carter’s death on December 29 at the age of 100, a roster of political dignitaries and global leaders gathered on Thursday. The tributes, carefully prepared over the years and updated as necessary, were ready to be delivered. The day lacked the urgency of mourning often associated with such events, largely because Carter had long been preparing the nation for this moment. (Former President Gerald Ford and former Vice President Walter Mondale were among those honored in tributes read by their surviving sons.)
Still, the significance of the day was inescapable, regardless of how expected it felt.
The expansive National Cathedral in Washington is rarely an easy stage for any speaker. On such monumental occasions, the spotlight shines on the raised platform, and the casket often appears larger than life. Emotions run high, amplifying the tension of an otherwise routine day. The congregation consisted of a who’s who of dignitaries, each vying for a seat closer to the front. Witness how Obama was seated next to Trump, with Mike and Karen Pence positioned behind them, while Kamala Harris found herself seated in an isolated spot ahead of the rest.
Thus, as Washington—and the world—said farewell to the 39th President of the United States in that monumental structure made of Indiana limestone, the day felt inevitable. Biden, who prides himself on his eulogizing skills, delivered his remarks, even as the question lingered about which prominent figure might next receive a similar send-off in that very venue.
“Today, many believe he belonged to a past era,” Biden remarked. “But in truth, he had a remarkable vision for the future.”
The day was perhaps as out of character as it could be for Carter, who often strolled through the White House in a cardigan and preferred the simplicity of paper plates over fine china. However, he recognized that this day of remembrance was not just about him, but about the nation and the office he continuously championed. Despite his initial aversion to the pomp of “Hail to the Chief,” which he viewed as elitist, Carter allowed for one final homage to the institution: as his casket departed the cathedral, military bands played a last tribute to that personal anthem of Presidents. While Carter aimed to humanize the office, he understood its weight; his successors each emerged as reflections of his desire to make the presidency more accessible, and the astute ones recognized their historical trajectories were, in part, shaped by the man they honored.
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