"The Bidens were momentarily left to wait outside the White House in an awkward moment on Inauguration Day, possibly as a result of a final “petty” act by the Trump administration.
On Wednesday, Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president at a ceremony at the US Capitol, following which the couple was given a military escort to their new home.
Later, as the Bidens walked up the steps to enter the executive mansion, pausing to wave before turning to enter, the much anticipated moment fell flat as the doors failed to open and the couple was left on the doorstep.
According to The National Journal, a well-placed official not associated with the incoming Biden team told the newspaper: "The Trumps sent the butlers home when they left so there would be no one to help the Bidens when they arrived."
“So petty,” the official reportedly added.
Notably, the chief usher Timothy Harleth who had been scheduled to welcome the Bidens to the White House in the absence of Mr Trump, had been also abruptly fired five hours earlier.
The chief usher is responsible for the management of the building and oversees residence staff including construction, maintenance, remodeling, food, as well as the administrative, fiscal, and personnel functions.
White House Press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at a daily press conference on Friday that the chief usher had been fired “before we walked in the door.”
The couple was filmed waiting and embracing in the cold as family members came up behind them before the doors eventually swung open to welcome the president."
"...Mr Harleth was reportedly busy moving furniture ahead of the arrival of the couple when he was informed at 11.30am of his termination, people familiar with the situation told The Times."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...e-locked-out-inauguration-trump-b1791409.html
On Wednesday, Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th president at a ceremony at the US Capitol, following which the couple was given a military escort to their new home.
Later, as the Bidens walked up the steps to enter the executive mansion, pausing to wave before turning to enter, the much anticipated moment fell flat as the doors failed to open and the couple was left on the doorstep.
According to The National Journal, a well-placed official not associated with the incoming Biden team told the newspaper: "The Trumps sent the butlers home when they left so there would be no one to help the Bidens when they arrived."
“So petty,” the official reportedly added.
Notably, the chief usher Timothy Harleth who had been scheduled to welcome the Bidens to the White House in the absence of Mr Trump, had been also abruptly fired five hours earlier.
The chief usher is responsible for the management of the building and oversees residence staff including construction, maintenance, remodeling, food, as well as the administrative, fiscal, and personnel functions.
White House Press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at a daily press conference on Friday that the chief usher had been fired “before we walked in the door.”
The couple was filmed waiting and embracing in the cold as family members came up behind them before the doors eventually swung open to welcome the president."
"...Mr Harleth was reportedly busy moving furniture ahead of the arrival of the couple when he was informed at 11.30am of his termination, people familiar with the situation told The Times."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/...e-locked-out-inauguration-trump-b1791409.html
