Melania Trump joins Donald in the Capitol Rotunda to pay respects to Jimmy Carter ahead of his funeral

Donald Trump arrived on Capitol Hill on Wednesday with wife Melania for meetings with Republicans and to pay their respects to Jimmy Carter.

The 78-year-old president-elect said it was ‘great’ to be back in Congress before heading into the Capitol Rotunda and for talks with the GOP.

Trump is in Washington D.C. to pay respects to the mourn the late President Carter at his funeral on Thursday. 

In just 12 days, he will take the oath of office on the steps outside the building and be sworn in, capping off a historic political comeback.

The incoming first couple walked into the Capitol Rotunda and stood by his casket for a moment of silence.

Melania, dressed in black, held her husband’s hand as they walked through Congress in front of watching reporters and photographers.

Their appearance came just hours after Capitol Police arrested a man for trying to enter the complex with a machete and three knives. 

Carter has been lying in state in Washington D.C. since Tuesday afternoon ahead of his state funeral.

Dignitaries from around the world, including the living former presidents, are expected to attend.

President Joe Biden, 82, in one of his last acts in office will delivery a eulogy before his trip to Rome. 

Donald Trump arrived on Capitol Hill on Wednesday with wife Melania for meetings with Republicans and to pay their respects to Jimmy Carter

Donald Trump arrived on Capitol Hill on Wednesday with wife Melania for meetings with Republicans and to pay their respects to Jimmy Carter

The incoming first couple walked into the Capitol Rotunda and stood by his casket for a moment of silence

The incoming first couple walked into the Capitol Rotunda and stood by his casket for a moment of silence

Trump is in Washington D.C. to pay respects to the mourn the late President Carter at his funeral on Thursday

Trump is in Washington D.C. to pay respects to the mourn the late President Carter at his funeral on Thursday

The 78-year-old president-elect said it was 'great' to be back in Congress before heading into the Capitol Rotunda and for talks with the GOP

The 78-year-old president-elect said it was ‘great’ to be back in Congress before heading into the Capitol Rotunda and for talks with the GOP

Before entering the rotunda, Trump also told reporters that he’s ‘looking’ at doing one bill versus two bills in a massive reconciliation package to fund the government and advance several of his main initiatives.

‘It doesn’t matter, we’re going to get the result’ he went on adding ‘Make American Great Again!’

His vision for a ‘big beautiful bill’ includes combining border security measures and extending the tax cuts he introduced back in 2017. 

Melania, dressed in black, held her husband's hand as they walked through Congress in front of watching reporters and photographers

Melania, dressed in black, held her husband’s hand as they walked through Congress in front of watching reporters and photographers

Their appearance came just hours after Capitol Police arrested a man for trying to enter the complex with a machete and three knives

Their appearance came just hours after Capitol Police arrested a man for trying to enter the complex with a machete and three knives

Donald and Melania stand by Jimmy Carter's flag-draped casket for a moment of reflection in the Capitol Rotunda

Donald and Melania stand by Jimmy Carter’s flag-draped casket for a moment of reflection in the Capitol Rotunda 

‘We must Secure our Border, Unleash American Energy, and Renew the Trump Tax Cuts, which were the largest in History, but we will make it even better,’ he previously stated.

‘NO TAX ON TIPS. IT WILL ALL BE MADE UP WITH TARIFFS, AND MUCH MORE, FROM COUNTRIES THAT HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE U.S. FOR YEARS,’ he continued.

The ‘no tax on tips’ provision was a promise he made on the campaign trail.

The president-elect will begin his second term in the White House on January 20 after the GOP-controlled 119th Congress convened on Friday.

But Republicans have very little margin for error in their rowdy conference as they set out to achieve Trump’s agenda.

They hold just a three-seat majority in the Senate and will temporarily have an almost non-existent majority in the House once the president-elect takes office.

‘Republicans must unite, and quickly deliver these Historic Victories for the American People. Get smart, tough, and send the Bill to my desk to sign as soon as possible,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social.

You May Also Like
Jeopardy Liam Starnes: University of Chicago student and Barrington High School alum blows away game show competition

Liam Starnes from University of Chicago and Barrington High School impresses everyone on Jeopardy with his skills

CHICAGO (WLS) — Liam Starnes of Barrington has been enjoying a winning…
Pope Francis' funeral schedule, what to expect from the Novendiali, a 9-day period of prayer, mourning

“Pope Francis’ Funeral Schedule: A Guide to the Novendiali Period of Prayer and Mourning”

Pope Francis’ funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in local…
Democrat-run Los Angeles failing wildfire victims’ rebuilding plans months after Trump visit: GOP rep

GOP Representative says Los Angeles, managed by Democrats, is struggling to help victims rebuild after wildfires despite Trump’s visit earlier this year.

Months after the devastating wildfires caused widespread destruction in Southern California, thousands…
Arbor Day 2025: Morton Arboretum helps students plant trees at Ted Lenart Regional Gifted Center in West Chatham, Chicago

Morton Arboretum supports tree planting with students at Ted Lenart Regional Gifted Center in West Chatham, Chicago for Arbor Day 2025

CHICAGO (WLS) — Some students in the city’s West Chatham neighborhood rolled…
Pete Hegseth Brags That Terrorists Have Had a Bad Three Weeks, Signals It’s About to Get a Lot Worse

Hegseth Angers Democrats, Especially Susan Rice, with Advisory Board Decision

You have to hand it to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.  Despite…
Aimee Carrero On Why Signing Onto ‘Your Friends And Neighbors’ Was A No-Brainer For Her: “I Love Nothing More Than Subverting A Stereotype”

Aimee Carrero: Embracing Role in ‘Your Friends And Neighbors’ to Challenge Stereotypes

From Elena of Avalor to Elena of Westmont Village in Your Friends…
Texas rocked by earthquake swarm in less than five hours

Series of Earthquakes Hit Texas in Less Than Five Hours

Texas has experienced a surge in seismic activity over the past few…
Illegal immigrant headed to prison for Las Vegas showgirl murder had criminal record in sanctuary state

A person who entered the country illegally is going to jail for killing a Las Vegas showgirl and had a previous criminal record in a sanctuary state.

An illegal immigrant from Guatemala will serve two consecutive life sentences for…
WeightWatchers to file for bankruptcy within weeks as it battles $1.6b in debts

WeightWatchers Faces Bankruptcy Filing Soon Amid $1.6 Billion Debt Struggle

WeightWatchers will file for bankruptcy in the coming weeks after finally negotiating…
Michelle Obama Reveals Why She Skipped Trump’s Inauguration – and It’s As Self-Absorbed As You’d Imagine

Reasons Michelle Obama Skipped Trump’s Inauguration – It’s Just Like You’d Think

Michelle Obama finally revealed why she failed to attend President Trump’s second…
RHOBH star Dorit Kemsley files for divorce from estranged husband PK after his clinch with Ryan Seacrest's ex

Dorit Kemsley, a cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, starts divorce proceedings from her separated spouse PK following his interaction with the former partner of Ryan Seacrest.

The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star Dorit Kemsley has finally filed…
Bain, member of K-pop group Just B, comes out as gay on final stop of band's world tour

Bain from the K-pop group Just B reveals he is gay at the last show of the band’s global tour

Bain, a 23-year-old member of the K-pop boy band Just B, came…