Trump departs White House for final time as president

Donald Trump departed the White House on Wednesday morning for the final time as president, walking across the South Lawn and stepping into Marine One shortly after 8 a.m.

In brief remarks to reporters gathered outside the White House, Trump said being president had been a “great honor” and described the job as “the honor of a lifetime.” He did not respond to questions.

In the minutes before Trump’s exit, a small group of White House staffers could be seen carrying boxes to the presidential helicopter.

Trump left the White House en route Joint Base Andrews, where he will participate in a ceremonial send-off featuring current and former administration officials. He is also expected to give remarks there.

Trump had declined to join congressional leaders in attending a church service with President-elect Joe Biden on Inauguration Day morning. He will not attend Biden’s swearing-in, either, although Vice President Mike Pence will.

Only three other former presidents have declined to attend the inauguration of their White House successor: John Adams in 1801, John Quincy Adams in 1829 and Andrew Johnson in 1869.

Former President Richard Nixon — who resigned in 1974 under threat of impeachment — was not present when President Gerald Ford was subsequently sworn-in at the White House.

In fact, Trump’s departure from the White House on Wednesday bore a striking resemblance to Nixon’s more than four decades ago.

At the time, Ford escorted Nixon to Marine One — similarly stationed on the South Lawn — where the disgraced outgoing president famously raised his arms in a double “V” salute.