Biden to Eulogize Jimmy Carter at National Cathedral Funeral

President Joe Biden will deliver a eulogy for former President Jimmy Carter at a state funeral held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. The ceremony marks a poignant moment for Biden, who was the first senator to endorse Carter’s presidential campaign in 1976. The event will bring together all living U.S. presidents and former leaders to honor Carter, who passed away at the age of 96.

Biden and Carter shared a decades-long relationship that began in 1974 when Biden, then a young senator from Delaware, met Carter, then the governor of Georgia. Their bond deepened when Biden became the first politician outside Georgia to endorse Carter’s presidential bid. Despite occasional political differences, the two men maintained mutual respect and a shared commitment to public service.

In an interview with USA TODAY, Biden reflected on his final meeting with Carter in 2021, during which the former president asked him to deliver his eulogy. “I bent down – he was in tough shape – to kiss him goodbye, and he asked me to do his eulogy,” Biden recalled. The president described Carter as a “decent man” who viewed the world from the perspective of ordinary people, a quality Biden admired and likened to his own father’s values.

Carter’s presidency, though marked by challenges such as inflation and the Iran hostage crisis, was later reevaluated for its emphasis on human rights and diplomacy. Similarly, Biden’s presidency has faced its own trials, including economic pressures and political polarization. Both men served single terms, their reelection bids thwarted by public dissatisfaction.

The funeral will also serve as a rare gathering of U.S. political leaders, including former President Donald Trump, who has been critical of Carter. Biden’s presence at the ceremony underscores his commitment to honoring the traditions of the presidency and fostering unity in a divided political climate.

As Biden prepares to leave office, the event carries personal significance. He has long contemplated the legacy he will leave behind and the challenges of a post-presidential life. Carter’s extensive post-presidency work through the Carter Center set a high bar for former leaders, and Biden has expressed hope that his own contributions will be remembered positively.

“Carter had the advantage of living in effect 10 times longer than his four years in office, which gave an opportunity for him to do things through the Carter Center to rebuild his reputation,” said Stuart Eizenstat, a former Carter aide. “It will be harder for President Biden to do that because he has a shorter runway than President Carter did.”

Despite the challenges, Biden remains focused on his final weeks in office, working to advance key initiatives and cement his legacy. The funeral for Carter, a man he deeply admired, offers a moment of reflection on the enduring impact of public service and the bonds that transcend political differences.