Jimmy Carter’s state funeral: Carter lies in state

A winter storm that impacted Washington, D.C., on Monday, forced some changes to Tuesday’s schedule for the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter.

The body of the 39th president, which had been reposing at the Carter Center in Atlanta, is being escorted to the U.S. Capitol later today, WSB-TV reported. But due to a major snowstorm in the nation’s capital, the schedule for bringing Carter north and subsequent events were pushed back about 90 minutes, according to the television station.

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Update 5:09 p.m. ET Jan. 7: The lying-in-state ceremony has begun with an invocation by Senate Chaplain Barry Black. He was followed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune.

A eulogy was given by House Speaker Mike Johnson. He spoke about Carter’s dedication to the U.S. Navy and how Carter was honored with a ship named for him. He also spoke about his work with Habitat from Humanity and how it evolved with the former president’s hard work, donating one week every year to build homes for those who need them.

Vice President Kamala Harris also gave her eulogy noting that Carter came from the tiny town of Plains, Georgia, and attained the office of the president. She also spoke about his legacy including The Carter Center.

Wreaths from the Senate and House of Representatives were placed on each side of the casket. A wreath was also placed by Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff. The benediction was given by House Chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben.

Carter’s family walked to the casket to pay their respects. They were followed by the dignitaries. Eventually the Rotunda will be open to the public.

--Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Update 5:04 p.m. ET Jan. 7: Carter’s casket has been placed on the Lincoln catafalque in the center of the Capitol Rotunda. Members of the federal government including Vice President Kamala Harris, the Supreme Court Justices and members of the House and Senate are there for a lying-in-state ceremony, ABC News reported.

--Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Update 4:53 p.m. ET Jan. 7: A 21-gun salute preceded Carter’s casket being removed from the caisson. It was carried up the steps of the Capitol building by members of the military to the Rotunda.

--Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Update 4:15 p.m. ET Jan. 7: Carter arrives at Capitol building complex.

--Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Update 3:54 p.m. ET Jan. 7: The former president’s casket is en route to the U.S. Capitol where he will lie in state until Thursday. According to WSB, the route mirrors the one he and his family walked when he was inaugurated as the 39th president on Jan. 20, 1977. He will enter the Capitol from the east side of the building once he arrives, CNN reported on air.

--Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Update 3:41 p.m. ET Jan. 7: Carter’s casket is being transferred from the hearse to the caisson.

--Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Update 3:29 p.m. ET Jan. 7: President Carter’s hearse arrived at the U.S. Navy Memorial to be transferred to a horse-drawn caisson.

--Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Update 2:52 p.m. ET Jan. 7: The casket of former President Jimmy Carter was loaded into a hearse at Joint Andrews Base in Maryland. Carter’s body will be transported via motorcade to the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Air Force Band played “Abide with Me” as the former president’s remains were placed into the hearse, WSB-TV reported.

Update 2:42 ET Jan. 7: A 21-gun salute was fired as the casket of former President Jimmy Carter was removed from the Special Air Mission 39 aircraft at Joint Andrews Base in Maryland.

Update 2:12 p.m. ET Jan. 7: Special Air Mission 39 arrived a few minutes early at Joint Andrews Base for a transfer ceremony in Washington, D.C.

There will be a short ceremony at the Maryland air base before Carter’s casket is transferred to a motorcade, which will take his body to the U.S. Navy Memorial.

Update 12:38 p.m. ET Jan. 7: Special Air Mission 39 departed from Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Cobb County, six minutes after the casket of former President Jimmy Carter was loaded onto the aircraft, WSB-TV reported. The flight will now head to Joint Andrews Base for a transfer ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Update 12:26 p.m. ET, Jan. 7: The remains of former President Jimmy Carter arrived at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Cobb County, Georgia. The 39th president’s casket was greeted with a 21-gun salute and the U.S. Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence Band played “Hail to the Chief” and “Nearer my God, to Thee,” WSB-TV reported.

The casket was loaded onto a plane and will be flown to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

Update 11:17 a.m. ET Jan. 7: The body of former President Jimmy Carter has left the Carter Center in Atlanta by hearse and will be taken to Dobbins Air Reserve Base in nearby Cobb County, Georgia. The 39th president’s casket will be taken to Washington, D.C., where Carter will lie in state later Tuesday.

Original report: Between 6 to 12 inches of snow fell in the Washington area on Monday, WRC reported. The wintry storm forced the closure of schools and government offices, and officials were urging motorists to stay off the road, according to the television station. Many schools will remain closed on Tuesday.

The late president’s body and his family were originally expected to leave the Carter Center at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, but that departure ceremony was moved to 11 a.m., WSB reported. Carter will be taken to Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia, and after a ceremony at the base, his body will be flown to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

Special Air Mission 39 is scheduled to depart for Washington at 12:45 p.m. and arrive at Joint Base Andrews at approximately 2:15 p.m.

Once the president’s body arrives in the D.C. area, his remains will be transferred as part of a motorcade that is expected to arrive at the U.S. Navy Memorial at about 3:30 p.m., WSB reported.

At 4:10 p.m., the funeral procession will begin, heading to the Capitol via Pennsylvania Avenue. The horse-drawn caisson will turn left onto Constitution Avenue to the Capitol. Upon arrival, Carter’s body will be carried up the stairs by military personnel and brought to the Rotunda.

Members of Congress will pay their respects during a service scheduled to begin at 4:30, and 90 minutes later the public will be allowed to file past Carter’s casket as the late president lies in state.

The public will be allowed to view the coffin until midnight on Tuesday, and that schedule will resume on Wednesday, WSB reported.

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