Inside the whirlwind switch from Bidens to Trumps at 1600
As soon as Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Donald Trump, and Melania Trump left the White House, a race against time began. Several dozen people have one task: transforming the Bidens' home into the Trumps' home.
As described by CNN, there is a lot of activity in front of the White House on Monday. Trucks are arriving and departing, loaded with furniture, paintings, equipment, and numerous boxes.
About 100 members of the presidential residence staff are organising the Bidens' move-out from the home they lived in for the past four years. Then – at lightning speed – they will clean it and prepare it for the Trumps' arrival within the next five hours, whilst inaugural festivities are taking place at the Capitol.
When the new first family arrives at the residence late in the afternoon, furniture and artworks from the official White House collection will be in place, their clothes will be in wardrobes, and personal items will be unpacked. The process is overseen by the head usher of the White House in close collaboration with Trump's assistants.
Interestingly, the planning of the move begins almost immediately after the elections.
- It is a very well-organised, minute-by-minute process in which every team member knows their tasks - said Anita McBride, who served as chief of staff to former first lady Laura Bush.
The Bidens' move-out began a few days ago.
The president changes, but White House staff stay
The residence staff, who oversaw nearly every detail of the Bidens' daily lives during their tenure, will themselves undergo a "transformation".
- It's an emotional moment. You say goodbye to one family and welcome another. The team that is there has one task: to adapt to the new first family, and that's the goal for today - noted McBride.
Source: CNN/AP/X/WP
