Biden has accepted invitation to keep at Blair Property the night time just before inauguration, State Department says

Inauguration Working day typically starts with a breakfast for family users and close friends at the household prior to a church service and a conference at the White House with the outgoing president. It is unlikely that Trump, who is not scheduling to show up at the inauguration, will fulfill with Biden his inauguration planners have declined to deliver even further particulars on Biden’s options that morning.

Blair House is managed by the State Department’s Business office of the Chief of Protocol, but the invitation to stay at the residence normally will come from the president.

“As is customary, the White House presented use of the Blair Home for Jan. 19th and it was recognized,” a State Section spokesperson claimed.

The Mystery Support and federal law enforcement agencies have been preparing for a feasible violent assault on the inauguration, elevating worry about security in the aftermath of a professional-Trump insurrection on the U.S. Capitol last 7 days.

Biden’s inauguration is nevertheless expected to acquire position on the techniques of the Capitol — the very same site where by the violence started very last 7 days — and he has claimed numerous instances that he is not worried about his security.

Jimmy Carter commenced the pre-inaugural tradition of keeping at Blair Dwelling in 1977. Due to the fact then, every incoming president has spent his last night time as president-elect in the house at 1651 Pennsylvania Ave. The president-elect indicators an official guest reserve the early morning he takes office environment. In the afternoon, the place is utilized to maintain a reception for ambassadors and other diplomats, a apply that is also unlikely this year because of coronavirus protocols.

The house was created in 1824 and has a rich historical past. It was owned for much more than a century by the Blair loved ones, and presidents usually applied it to slip absent from the White Household.

But in the 1940s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was persuaded to obtain the house to use as a guesthouse for going to dignitaries. Earlier, heads of condition would devote the evening at the White Residence, but Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded her husband to modify that customized following Winston Churchill reportedly headed to the couple’s bedroom, cigar in hand, for a 3 a.m. chat.

President Harry Truman lived at Blair Property during a 4-12 months White Property renovation from 1948 to 1952.

Not every single 1st family members has enjoyed the experience. “Blair Household genuinely requires fixing up,” Nancy Reagan wrote in her diary following a 6-night time keep in 1981.

The Bush loved ones generally brought a big household entourage.

The Obamas required to keep longer than customary, requesting to shift in by Jan. 5, when their daughters had been starting off school at Sidwell Buddies. But due to the fact President Bush experienced now experienced it reserved for diplomatic visits, the Obamas in its place stayed at the Hay-Adams Hotel and moved around to Blair Home on Jan. 15.

Carol D. Leonnig contributed to this report.