Americans traveled from all over the country on Wednesday to visit former President Jimmy Carter, who was lying in state in the US Capitol, prior to his inauguration. The funeral is on Thursday.
A few visitors spoke with Fox News while waiting in line View Carter's casket – Some knew him personally, others simply admired the late president.
Katherine, from nearby Gaithersburg, Maryland, said it was important to pay her respects to Carter because he was inspiring in the way he spent most of his life helping others.
“One of the reasons I respect him is because he showed a lot of us older people that when you retire, you don't just stop working,” she told Fox News' Rich Edson. “You can use your resources and experience to help others, and that's what I hope to do.”
A Boy Scout troop salutes the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter at an internment ceremony inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on January 8, 2025. (Samuel Corum/AFP via Getty Images)
Riley Cagle, a Georgia native, said he made the trip to Washington, D.C., because Carter was a “dear friend of her family” and was unable to attend his funeral in Peach State.
Riley Cagle's grandparents, Gerald (second from left) and Brenda (far right), pose for a photo with former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn. (Riley Cagle)
Although Cagle did not know him personally, he said that his aunt was one of Carter's best friends and that she was present when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His grandparents also knew Carter and shared many “amazing” stories about him. Growing up – like his love of pineapple sandwiches.
“Man, they don't like him anymore,” Cagle said, adding that they “didn't make them like him back then either.”
Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn are seen in 1983 with Riley Cagle's great-grandmother. (Riley Cagle)
Natalie, another visitor from Maryland, said Carter was “the epitome of an invincible man.” “Faithful and humble servant” He congratulated him on a “good job.”
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, has died at the age of 100
Respect Carter It crossed political lines Ted McConnell, a staffer in former President Gerald Ford's 1976 campaign, was also present at the Capitol on Wednesday.
“As you well know, President Ford and President Carter became compatriots and close friends after the presidency, so I support both President Ford and President Carter today,” said McConnell, who was wearing a “Jimmy Carter for President” button.
Former President Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024, at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)
McConnell said he appreciates everything Carter's humanitarian work around the world and “was honored to honor him at his shrine (sic) in the state” on Wednesday.
Another man was present with a similar “Jimmy for President” pin, but he actually volunteered to work on the late president's campaign when he was a high school student and attended Carter's inauguration in 1977.
Eric Strohmeyer told Fox News' Chad Pergram that the lines to view Carter's coffin were moving quickly, and he encouraged “those who want to say goodbye to a president who is held in high regard, to come down and seize the opportunity.”
Thousands of people traveled to Washington, D.C., between Tuesday evening and Thursday morning to pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter as he lay in state inside the US Capitol Rotunda. (Probal Rasheed/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Carter's coffin will be removed from the rotunda at 9 a.m. Thursday to be taken to Washington National Cathedral before his state funeral at 10 a.m.
His remains will then be flown to Georgia later in the day via the 39th Special Air Mission for a private ceremony in his hometown of Plains.
Fox News' Rich Edson and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
