What Does It Take to Move Donald Trump Into the White House?
On January 20, all eyes will be on the National Mall as Donald Trump is sworn in as president of the United States. It also marks the day that the new leader will become the new White House resident, a frenzied American ritual known as the “transfer of families.”
We all know that moving into a new home can be strenuous, but moving a new president in and the old one out of a property spanning 132 rooms with the highest security imaginable, requires a hyper-organized effort that must be accomplished in the span of five frantic hours.
“Over the last few decades this has become the standard operating procedure,” Matthew Costello, a senior historian at the White House Historical Association, told The Hill of the tight turnaround. “It is chaotic, but it’s very coordinated.”
As the 45th president of the U.S. takes office a second time, let’s go behind the scenes on moving day in America’s most famous house.
Traditionally, the President-Elect Sleeps at Blair House
Blair House, a 119-room complex made up of four connected townhouses that quietly face the White House on Pennsylvania Ave, has become the traditional accommodations for the President-elect the night before the inauguration. President Joe Biden and Barack Obama stayed there before their big days, but Trump didn’t stay there on the night before his first inauguration in 2017. It remains to be seen whether he will this time.
First Lady Melania Trump Will Be Moving in on Day One
During Trump's first term in 2017, First Lady Melania Trump moved into the White House five months after her husband was inaugurated. For his second term, she’s preparing to arrive when her husband’s term begins on January 20, she said during a recent television interview. In fact, she’ll be doing so far more publicly this time, telling Fox News that an upcoming documentary documenting her move-in is set to be distributed by Amazon Prime Video later this year.
The Trumps Can’t Move in Until Noon On Inauguration Day
Biden’s presidency doesn’t officially end until noon on Inauguration Day—and Trump and his family may not move in a minute sooner. "We're not allowed in the White House until noon on January 20, so we have to operate virtually from an off-site location and organize all the logistics there," says Bradley Blakeman, who was Former President George W. Bush's deputy assistant. "It's organized and they've got it done to a science. It's like a military maneuver."
To accomplish this, the 90 permanent White House staffers arrive at 4 a.m., some sleeping on cots at their workstations, ready to make this transition happen smoothly, according to The Washington Post. They answer to White House chief usher Robert B. Downing. It’s a day filled with many goodbyes and hellos as the residential staff prepares for the new First Family.
Blakeman estimates about 500 people work to move the new administration in. "Even if there's a Democrat in the White House and a Democrat is elected president, it's as if a Republican is coming in because the president elect will bring all their own people," says Blakeman. "And officers are completely reorganizing the West Wing for that."
Once the White House Is Empty, a Deep Clean Begins
Once both First Family’s personal belongings have been moved, Trump’s furniture and artwork stay in its moving boxes until the staff removes all traces of Joe and Jill. Carpets are vacuumed or replaced, windows are cleaned, and paint touchups are made.
Just outside the Cabinet Room there is a rotating photograph gallery of the president, including photos of him meeting with world leaders and allies, reports ABC News. On move-in day, the photographs are swapped out for new ones of, say, the new president at the inaugural ceremonies.
How long does such a feat take in a 55,000-square-foot space? Twelve hours. "Officers from the General Services Administration are moving people out and in, painting and recarpeting," says Blakeman. "It takes every bit of 12 hours to finish up. They're in there until midnight and later to put the finishing touches on."
The First Family Is Responsible for Getting Everything to the White House
One thing most people don't know: The first family is responsible for getting all of their belongings to the White House themselves. "They have a coordination effort with the government through private movers," says Blakeman. For example, President Obama had to cover the transportation costs (either with personal funds or money raised for the campaign) to get his items from Chicago to Washington D.C. Once the president elect's belongings arrive, the residence staff takes custody of the possessions and begins unpacking.
Trump’s Preferences Are Carefully Considered
Ahead of the move, Trump has spoken with the chief usher about his personal preferences, including his favorite snacks, preferred hair products, and floral arrangements, according to Slate. While he’s being sworn in, the staff is busily stocking the pantry, hanging his clothes, and preparing the bowling alley with shoes for the entire family.
"During the move-in process, the first family is at the inauguration or watching the parade," says Blakeman. "By the time the parade is over, they have the inaugural balls, so they're out of the residence for a long time, allowing all of this work to take place."
The Trumps Can Choose a New Chef
During the first week after move-in, the president can also reassign who will be cooking for the first family. "Maybe they don't like the chef that's there now," says Blakeman. "But they probably won't take any meals the very first day at the White House. The first meal will likely be the next morning at breakfast."
Trump Will Receive A New Limo
The new president is outfitted with a snazzy new state car with cutting edge security features (most known only to the Secret Service). Also, if it hasn't been covered before move-in day, the president elect will be brought up to speed on things such as the White House's top-secret emergency apparatus that was put into place after 9/11, says Blakeman.
The Next Task is Decorating the White House
Once Trump moves in, he can bring in his own decorator to give the space a personal touch. That person remains unknown as of now. He can even completely redecorate the Oval Office, which may entail changing the artwork on the walls, the books on the shelves and even chairs, sofas and other pieces of furniture, reports ABC News.
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