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On Thursday, dignitaries gathered on the northern side of the National Cathedral to pay tribute to former President Jimmy Carter, who was honored one last time in Washington. Surprisingly, many in attendance might not have been seen as his most fervent supporters. In fact, not long ago, Carter was often regarded as one of the least embraced members of the exclusive circle known as The Presidents Club.
Yet, as the world said goodbye to Carter in a city that never fully embraced him, those five successors each carried elements of a presidency that he significantly influenced.
Bill Clinton’s emergence as a pragmatic Southern Governor was notably shaped by Carter’s down-to-earth style. For George W. Bush, Carter’s roots as a peanut farmer transformed his folksy demeanor into an asset, allowing both men to downplay their elite educational backgrounds. Barack Obama, with his composed demeanor, found a kinship with Carter during tumultuous global times. Meanwhile, Joe Biden’s moralistic tone resonates particularly well when recalling that Carter was still leading Sunday school classes in Plains, Georgia, until recently.
Then there’s Donald Trump, an unconventional figure who, like Carter, stands outside the realm of Washington’s political insiders. Trump returned to the capital to honor Carter, just days away from beginning his second term as President. In a sense, Trump represents the culmination of the disruption that Carter introduced nearly fifty years ago. Both men entered Washington with unique visions for the presidency, disregarding traditional norms and leaving lasting—albeit very different—marks on this quintessentially American institution.
The gathering of former Presidents to honor Carter was a remarkable moment of national unity, a sentiment often experienced when one of their own nears the end. The living ex-Presidents and their spouses occupied the front pews of the grand cathedral, creating a rare scene of dignity. The last such assembly took place in 2018 during the memorial for President George H.W. Bush. (Michelle Obama was the only spouse absent this week due to a scheduling conflict in Hawaii, and it’s uncertain whether she will attend Trump’s inauguration on January 20.)
This display of tradition was just one of the many contradictions woven into Carter’s farewell—precisely as he might have expected, sporting his characteristic cheeky smile.
Often regarded as one of the most honorable individuals to occupy the Oval Office, Carter was frequently dismissed as a simple country gentleman, leaving office after one term. Yet today, he is revered as a significant advocate for democracy and an unconventional diplomat on the global stage.
As Jonathan Alter observed in his TIME cover story reflecting on Carter’s legacy, it appears the former President leveraged his time in the White House as a somewhat awkward stepping stone to become a global moral compass over the past fifty years—culminating in Thursday’s heartfelt farewell in D.C.
Following Carter’s passing on December 29 at the age of 100, a gathering of political and global leaders convened on Thursday. The tributes, meticulously crafted and updated over the years, were ready for presentation. The day lacked the immediacy of grief typically 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 through tributes read by their sons.)
Nevertheless, the day’s significance was undeniable, even if it felt anticipated.
The expansive National Cathedral in Washington rarely provides an easy platform for speakers. On such monumental occasions, the focus intensifies on the raised platform, where the casket often seems larger than life. Emotions soar, amplifying the atmosphere of what would otherwise be a routine day. The attendees included a who’s who of dignitaries, each vying for a seat closer to the front. Notably, Obama was seated next to Trump, with Mike and Karen Pence positioned behind them, while Kamala Harris found herself in an isolated spot ahead of the others.
Thus, as Washington—and the world—bade farewell to the 39th President of the United States within that monumental structure of Indiana limestone, the day’s events felt inevitable. Biden, known for his adeptness at eulogizing, delivered his remarks, all while speculation lingered about which prominent figure might next receive such a send-off in that very venue.
“Today, many perceive him as belonging to a bygone era,” Biden stated. “Yet, in reality, he possessed a remarkable vision for what was to come.”
The day was perhaps as atypical as could be for Carter, who often roamed the White House in a cardigan and preferred the simplicity of paper plates over fine china. However, he understood that this day of remembrance transcended his individual legacy; it was about the nation and the office he consistently advocated for. Despite his initial reluctance towards the pomp associated with “Hail to the Chief,” which he regarded as elitist, Carter permitted 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 he aimed to humanize the office, he also recognized its significance; his successors emerged as reflections of his desire to render the presidency more approachable, and the perceptive ones understood their historical paths were, in part, shaped by the man they celebrated.
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