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On a Thursday in Washington, dignitaries gathered at the northern side of the National Cathedral to pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter, who was honored for the final time. Interestingly, many of those in attendance wouldn’t typically be seen as fervent supporters of Carter, who, not long ago, was perhaps the least favored member of the esteemed group known as The Presidents Club.
Yet, as the world took a moment to say goodbye to Carter in a city that never fully embraced him, those five presidents each carried a fragment of a legacy that he deeply influenced.
Bill Clinton’s ascent as a pragmatic Southern Governor was significantly shaped by Carter’s practical methods. George W. Bush’s down-to-earth persona was bolstered by Carter’s roots as a peanut farmer, with neither president focusing on their elite educational credentials. Barack Obama found a kindred spirit in Carter, particularly during tumultuous global times, while Joe Biden’s moralizing rhetoric resonates even more when we remember that Carter was still teaching Sunday school in Plains, Georgia, until recently.
Donald Trump also made an appearance, an unconventional figure who, like Carter, doesn’t conform to the typical Washington insider stereotype. Arriving in the capital just days before he was set to begin his second term, Trump represents a culmination of the disruption that Carter initiated nearly fifty years ago. Both presidents entered the political arena with unique visions for the presidency, challenging traditional norms and leaving their distinct marks on this fundamentally American institution.
As they came together to honor Carter, the living former presidents and their spouses created an unexpected display of national unity, a sentiment that often emerges only when one of their own is passing or has passed. In the front pews of the grand cathedral, this rare moment of dignity was palpable, reminiscent of the last such gathering for President George H.W. Bush in 2018. (Notably, Michelle Obama was absent due to a scheduling conflict in Hawaii, leaving her attendance at Trump’s upcoming inauguration uncertain.)
This homage was just one of the many contradictions that defined Carter’s farewell—something he would have likely found amusing, given his playful nature.
Often perceived as the most honorable person to occupy the Oval Office, Carter was frequently dismissed as a simplistic country gentleman, leaving the presidency after just one term. Yet today, he is revered as a steadfast champion of democracy and a globe-trotting diplomat, albeit an unconventional one.
Jonathan Alter highlighted in a TIME cover story that Carter transformed his time in the White House into a stepping stone for a broader role as a global conscience over the last fifty years—culminating in the emotional farewell held in D.C.
Following Carter’s passing on December 29 at the age of 100, political figures and global leaders assembled on Thursday to pay tribute. The tributes, meticulously prepared and updated over the years, were ready to be shared. The day lacked the traditional urgency of mourning typically associated with such events, primarily because Carter had long been preparing the country for this eventuality. (Former President Gerald Ford and former Vice President Walter Mondale were remembered through tributes delivered by their sons.)
Nevertheless, the significance of the day was undeniable, even if it felt anticipated.
The grand National Cathedral in Washington can be a daunting stage for any speaker. During such monumental occasions, the focus is often on the raised platform, and the casket can appear almost larger than life. Emotions run high, intensifying the atmosphere of an otherwise routine event. The audience included a veritable who’s who of dignitaries, each vying for a prime seat. Notably, Obama was seated next to Trump, with Mike and Karen Pence behind them, while Kamala Harris found herself in a more isolated position ahead of the crowd.
Thus, as Washington—and the world—bid farewell to the 39th President of the United States within that monumental structure of Indiana limestone, the day felt almost predestined. Biden, known for his eulogizing prowess, delivered heartfelt remarks, even as the question lingered about which prominent figure might next warrant a similar farewell in that very venue.
“Today, many see him as belonging to a bygone era,” Biden commented. “Yet, he truly possessed an extraordinary vision for the future.”
The day was perhaps as atypical as it could be for Carter, who often wandered the White House in a cardigan and preferred the modesty of paper plates over fine china. Nevertheless, he understood that this day of remembrance was not solely about him, but about the nation and the office he tirelessly advocated for. Despite his initial discomfort with the pomp associated with “Hail to the Chief,” which he deemed elitist, Carter allowed one final tribute to the institution: as his casket left the cathedral, military bands played a last homage to that personal anthem of Presidents. While Carter aimed to make the office more relatable, he recognized its significance; his successors emerged as reflections of his ambition to democratize the presidency, and the astute ones acknowledged their historical paths were, in part, shaped by the man they honored.
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