Donald Trump and Joe Biden exchanged smiles for the cameras as they met at the White House on Monday morning, before the president-elect formally took power.
The president-elect and Melania Trump walked hand in hand up the stairs, where President Biden and first lady Jill Biden were waiting for them.
“Welcome home,” Biden told Trump.
The two couples shook hands and briefly posed for photos, looking visibly cold in the wind. Unlike eight years ago, when Melania arrived with a gift wrapped in Tiffany blue for Michelle Obama, she came up empty-handed when she greeted Jill Biden.
The two couples will enjoy coffee and tea at the White House residence before driving together to the Capitol for Trump's inauguration.
When Biden leaves the White House, it will be his last time as president. Trump takes the reins at noon ET.
Before the president-elect arrived, Biden told reporters he was feeling “good.” It's a beautiful day.' He said his message for the day was “joy.”
He and his wife Jill Biden took one last selfie outside the Oval Office before leaving the building and posted it to the White House social media accounts.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greet President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump as they arrive at the White House
Usha Vance, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris and Vice President-elect JD Vance at the White House
Melania Trump holds her hat on the windy day
“Welcome home,” President Joe Biden told incoming President Donald Trump
Melania Trump and Jill Biden walk into the White House together
Before the Trumps arrived, incoming Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha were greeted at the White House by outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
“Congratulations,” Harris said to Vance. She had refused to receive him at the vice presidential residence ahead of his swearing-in ceremony.
Harris, who lost to Trump in a landslide, described today as “democracy in action.”
It will be a long day for the Trumps and the Vances, who, after being sworn in, will have lunch at the Capitol, an inaugural parade and then three balls.
Donald Trump kicked off the ceremonies for his historic second inauguration early Monday morning with his wife Melania, son Barron and his family during a church service.
The president-elect took the front row of St. John's Episcopal Church — just steps from the White House — and smiled at Vance, who sat next to his wife, Usha.
The president-elect, dressed in a suit and dark red tie, shook his fist at photographers as he stepped out of the crowd. Melania, in a navy blue suit and matching hat with white trim, stood next to him. Their son Barron walked with them.
The Trump family joined them at church – Ivanka and Jared Kushner and their children; Don Jr., his ex-wife Vanessa and their children; Tiffany Trump and husband Michael Boulos; and Eric and Lara Trump and their two children.
Incoming Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha sat in the front seat with Donald, Melania and Barron.
Also in the church were Rupert Murdoch, Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Marco Rubio, Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Duffy, TikTok CEO Shou Chew, Elon Musk , Rep. Mike Waltz, Pam Bondi, Howard Lutnick, Doug Burgum and Argentine President Javier Milei.
Donald and Melania Trump walk up the steps of the White House to meet Joe and Jill Biden
JD Vance and Usha Vance walk up the White House steps to greet Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff
Melania Trump and President-elect Donald Trump are greeted by Rev. Robert W. Fisher as they arrive for service at St. John's Church
Barron Trump follows parents Melania Trump and Donald Trump into church
Donald Trump talks to JD Vance and Usha Vance as Melania and Baron look on
Trump's swearing-in ceremony has been moved to the Capitol rotunda due to the frigid weather and winds in Washington DC. Much of the ground is frozen and icy due to Sunday's rain and snowfall.
Biden and Trump have not spoken since shortly after the election, when Biden welcomed the newly elected president to the Oval Office.
Trump, meanwhile, has criticized the outgoing president for being “sneaky” during the transition process, creating a series of roadblocks intended to hinder his first days in office.
Biden, for his part, started the morning with a series of pre-emptive pardons for those who may face retaliation from Trump: Gen. Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Rep. Liz Cheney.
He received a final security briefing as commander-in-chief. After Trump is sworn in, the Bidens will board Marine One at the Capitol and head to Joint Base Andrews, where Biden will deliver a farewell speech. The couple then leaves for California with family for a while.
President-elect Donald Trump, Melania Trump and Barron Trump, Victor Knavs arrive for a service at St. John's Church – at left are Vice President-elect JD Vance and Usha Vance
Meta and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (L) CEO of Apple Tim Cook, founder of Amazon and Blue Origin Jeff Bezos in church with Trump
Ivanka Trump with her children
Melania Trump wears a navy blue suit and hat as she enters church with Donald Trump
Newly elected US Vice President JD Vance and Usha Vance and the rest of the guests at St. John's Episcopal Church await the arrival of Donald Trump
Ivanka Trump with Arabella, Joseph and Theodore
Tiffany Trump with husband Michael Boulos – the couple is expecting their first child
Trump has been in Washington DC since Saturday to celebrate his second term in office. He and his supporters celebrated with fireworks at his Trump Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.
On Sunday, he addressed supporters at a rally at Capitol One Arena. And then he joined supporters at a candlelight dinner.
When Trump returns to the White House on Monday afternoon, it will be as president of the United States.
He plans an immediate series of executive orders intended to undo many Biden initiatives. He will crack down on illegal immigration, impose tariffs on trading partners and pardon supporters prosecuted for storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
