WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will leave Washington next Wednesday morning, just before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, to begin his post-presidential life in Florida.
He will be sent off with a departure ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, according to a person familiar with the planning who spoke on condition of anonymity because Trump's plans have not been formally announced. Officials are considering an elaborate event that would have the feel of a state visit, with a red carpet, color guard, military band and 21-gun salute all being discussed.
Trump had already announced that he would not be attending Biden’s inauguration — an historical break with tradition — after spending months making baseless allegations of voter fraud in an attempt to delegitimize Biden’s presidency. Vice President Mike Pence will attend in his place.
He will leave two weeks to the day that his supporters stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to halt the peaceful transition of power, an event that led to his impeachment in the House for "incitement of insurrection."
Trump is expected to remain in Florida with a small group of aides as he mulls his future.
TEGNA's Travis Pittman contributed to this report.
