Three days after the annual celebration of Jan. 6, with its indelible images of expensive riots running in the Capitol, the funeral service of former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral presented a historical image of a different kind, which did not speak of established practices, but. of preservation and power.
It was a photo, unofficial and yet sure to be remembered and shared for years, because of its occasion and its appearance, of President-elect Donald J. Trump and his wife, Melania, sitting next to President Barack Obama, who was sitting. next to George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, who were next to Bill and Hillary Clinton. They all sat in a row behind President Biden and Jill Biden, and they all wore remarkably similar black suits, dark to sky blue colored ties, black suits and coats. (Michelle Obama was the only first lady who did not attend, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts.)
That meant that for the first time since Mr. As Trump launched an attack on what he calls the Washington swamp, he and four other living presidents, including three who campaigned for him, appeared to be in line. Not because of the way they dress, but because of their dress code.
It made a clear statement about the transition of power and continuity as anything that was said during the certification of the election by the Senate earlier in the week (whatever Mr. Trump and Mr. Obama seemed to be laughing in private). And suggested that Mr. Trump knew full well what it meant to look like he was part of a special, special presidential class, as he tried to transform it.
As Jason Carter, one of Mr. Carter, he told the men sitting in the Oval Office, shared knowledge of “the human side of the presidency more than others.”
Indeed, it was no small matter that in one of the rare moments since he began his second run for the presidency, Mr. a flag-themed outfit that has become the de facto uniform of most Republicans in the new administration.
Instead he was wearing a dark suit and blue Democratic tie, which seemed to reach across the aisle to honor the man lying on the ground, and a touch more flamboyant than the one worn by Mr. the tie worn by Mr. Biden. Sure, it was just an accessory, but the harmonics were hard to remember in the dark sea.
And it was not insignificant that Mrs. Trump – who differed from other first ladies who wore black at Rosalynn Carter's funeral by wearing a gray Dior suit – opted for a black Valentino coat with a wide white collar, trimmed in black and white. white flowers. The jacket fit him without a stitch with Dr. Biden in his black Schiaparelli suit (similar to the one Dr. Biden wore to Queen Elizabeth II's funeral service at Westminster Abbey), and Mrs. Clinton wearing his black pants suit and Mrs. .Bush in his black suit.
Trump's transition team says one of the differences between the president's first term and his second term plan is that this time Mr. Trump understands how the city works. In many of his social media posts and public statements, Mr. Trump is often seen relishing the verbal bombast in that city, but at Mr. Trump's funeral, Mr. Carter, he seemed, just for a moment, trying to look like he was part of it.
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