WASHINGTON – President Trump will leave Washington early Wednesday with a farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews before President-elect Joe Biden takes the oath of office, one guest told The Post.
In a break from a century of tradition, Trump will not continue to take part in the swearing in of his successor and will leave the White House and fly to his Mar-A-Lago resort aboard Air Force One at about 8 p.m. .
Invitees have been told to arrive at the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland at 7:15 a.m., where a crowd of several hundred supporters and former staff will say goodbye to Trump as he leaves Washington for the last time as president.
According to Bloomberg News, which reported the ceremony for the first time, the guests were told that they could invite up to five guests and that they would wear masks at all times.
Details for the event are still being finalized, but a color guard and 21-gun salute – usually reserved as a military honor – are apparently being considered.
Biden is sworn in outside the U.S. Capitol this afternoon during a reduced ceremony reflecting the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and this month’s deadly siege of Congress.
Only a small number of guests may be allowed inside the heavily fenced-off grounds of the Capitol, which will be guarded by thousands of National Guard troops.
Biden encouraged his supporters not to travel to DC, and the traditional parade on Pennsylvania Avenue was scrapped in favor of a ‘virtual’ parade.
Earlier this month, Trump announced that he would not attend Biden’s inauguration, as he still claims the election was stolen from him.
Vice President Mike Pence will attend the inauguration.