Trump bids farewell to Washington, hints at comeback
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- His presidency over, Donald Trump said farewell to Washington on Wednesday but also hinted about a comeback.
"So just a goodbye. We love you," Trump told supporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland where he walked across a red carpet and boarded Air Force One to head to Florida. "We will be back in some form."
The first president in modern history to boycott his successor's inauguration, Trump refused to participate in any of the symbolic passing-of-the-torch traditions surrounding the peaceful transition of power, including inviting Joe and Jill Biden to the White House for a get-to-know-you visit.
He did follow at least one tradition: The White House said Trump left behind a note for Biden. A Trump spokesman, Judd Deere, declined to say what Trump wrote or characterize the sentiment in the note, citing privacy for communication between presidents.
Members of Trump's family gathered for the send-off on the military base along with the president's loyalists, who chanted "We love you!" "Thank you, Trump" and "U.S.A." Four Army cannons fired a 21-gun salute.
Speaking without notes, Trump said his presidency was an "incredible four years." He told the crowd that he and first lady Melania Trump loved them and praised his family for its hard work, saying they could have chosen to have an easier life.
"It's been something very special. We've accomplished a lot," Trump said, citing the installation of conservative judges, creation of the space force, development of coronavirus vaccines and management of a robust pre-pandemic economy.
"I hope they don't raise your taxes, but if they do, I told you so," he said of the Biden administration.
He acknowledged his was not a "regular administration" and told his backers that he would be returning in some form. He said the Trump campaign had worked so hard: "We've left it all on the field," he said.
Without mentioning Biden's name, Trump wished the new administration great luck and success, which he said would be made easier because he had laid "a foundation."
"I will always fight for you," he told the crowd. "I will be watching. I will be listening."
Before arriving at the airport, Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House that being president had been the honor of his lifetime.
"We love the American people, and again, it has been something very special," he said over the sound of the Marine One helicopter. "And I just want to say goodbye, but hopefully it's not a long-term goodbye. We'll see each other again."
Trump and first lady Melania Trump landed in Florida more than an hour before Biden was sworn in as the 46th U.S. president. Air Force One flew low along the Florida coast as Biden's inauguration ceremony flashed across televisions on board. A loud cheer went up from the crowd awaiting his arrival when the plane made a low approach to Palm Beach International Airport as the "Star-Spangled Banner" played over loudspeakers.
Several hundred supporters lined his route to Trump's Mar-a-Lago club. It had a party atmosphere. Trump and American flags waved, with many supporters wearing red, white and blue clothing.
Shari Ackerly parked her three-wheeled motorcycle along the road, painted with red, white and blue stripes and "Trump -- Make America Great." A Trump-Pence campaign sign laid against the headrest, the vice president's name crossed out.
As supporters chanted "We love you!" Trump mouthed "I love back" and raised his fist.
In his final hours, Trump issued pardons for more than 140 people, including his former strategist, rap performers, ex-members of Congress and other allies of him and his family. Then, just as Biden made his entrance at the Capitol but before he took the oath of office, Trump announced that he was pardoning Al Pirro, the ex-husband of Fox News Channel host and Trump ally Jeanine Pirro. Al Pirro was convicted of conspiracy and tax evasion charges and sentenced to more than two years in prison in 2000.
Trump will be in Florida with a small group of former White House aides.
White House cleaning crews worked overnight Wednesday and were still going as the sun rose to get the building cleaned and ready for its new occupants. Most walls were stripped down to the hooks that once held photographs, and offices were devoid of the clutter and trinkets that gave them life.