White House Movers Race Against Time for Inauguration Day Transition

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the nation prepares for the swearing-in of a new president, the White House residence staff faces a monumental task: moving out one first family and settling in another in just five hours. The clock starts ticking when the outgoing and incoming presidents leave the White House together for the Capitol ceremony on Inauguration Day.

“Everything needs to be planned to the minute,” said Melania Trump, who is moving into the White House for the second time. She described the process as less daunting than her first move in 2017, but acknowledged the immense effort required by the residence staff.

The transition begins as soon as the presidents depart for the Capitol. “As soon as they leave, the executive residence staff swings into action,” said Matthew Costello, chief education officer of the White House Historical Association. Staff members work in teams to pack, move, and unpack belongings, ensuring the new first family finds their personal items in place and the kitchen stocked with their favorite foods.

This year, the timeline could be altered due to President-elect Donald Trump‘s decision to move the inaugural ceremony indoors to the Capitol Rotunda because of bitter cold weather. The traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue will also be held indoors at a sports arena.

Moving trucks for both families remain on standby nearby, ready to be waved through tight security once the ceremony begins. The residence staff works in groups, with some assigned to pack the outgoing family’s belongings, others to load the trucks, and still others to unpack and arrange the new family’s items.

Between families, the White House undergoes a deep cleaning. Windows are washed, carpets vacuumed or replaced, new mattresses brought in, and all bedrooms and bathrooms stocked with fresh linens and towels. The process typically begins after the November election, with the White House chief usher coordinating the move with the president-elect’s team.

In 2016, then-first lady Michelle Obama showed Melania Trump around the living quarters. However, after Trump lost reelection in 2020, he broke with tradition and did not invite then-President-elect Joe Biden to meet. Melania Trump also declined Jill Biden‘s offer to meet. This time, Trump accepted Biden’s invitation to the Oval Office, but Melania Trump rejected Jill Biden’s offer for a meeting.