What Happens Inside the White House on Inauguration Day

Summary

The White House transition process, from one president to another, is a monumental task that requires careful planning and precision. Staff members, under the direction of the Chief Usher, work tirelessly to pack, clean, and redecorate the Executive Residence in less than six hours. This involves handling priceless artifacts, performing renovations, and personalizing the space for the new first family. Despite challenges and security concerns, every detail is executed flawlessly to ensure a smooth transition. The process, which begins months before Inauguration Day, culminates in the new president's arrival at a fully prepared White House.

Takeaways

• 😀 The transition of the White House between presidents is a massive, time-sensitive task, taking place within 6 hours on inauguration day.
• 😀 Over 100 White House staff members, including butlers, maids, chefs, and engineers, are involved in this process.
• 😀 The White House, with 20,000 square feet of living space across six floors, requires detailed planning for a smooth transition.
• 😀 Planning for the transition begins immediately after the election, with the White House chief Usher coordinating with the incoming administration.
• 😀 The chief Usher collects detailed preferences from the new first family, including food and decoration choices, and ensures their wishes are carried out.
• 😀 The White House houses priceless historical artifacts, and the new first family may select items to display, while others remain permanently displayed.
• 😀 Requests for remodeling or decoration are considered but often face limitations due to the historical significance of the White House.
• 😀 Changes to the White House, including construction of new features or alterations, are only permitted after the previous president leaves on inauguration day.
• 😀 The staff begins work early on inauguration day to pack up the outgoing president’s belongings, clean, and prepare for the new family’s arrival.
• 😀 Security concerns prevent outside movers from entering the White House, so the staff must handle everything, ensuring nothing is damaged or misplaced.
• 😀 After the inauguration, the staff works to personalize the White House for the new first family, meeting all their preferences, from furniture to food.

Q & A

What is the primary responsibility of the White House Chief Usher during the transition period between presidents?

The White House Chief Usher oversees the staff responsible for transforming the White House for the incoming administration, ensuring that everything is packed, cleaned, renovated, and redecorated according to the new president and first lady's preferences.

How many people are involved in the task of moving out the previous president’s belongings and preparing the White House for the new president?

Around 100 members of the White House staff are involved in this Herculean task, which includes moving furniture, cleaning, packing, and setting up the new residence.

What is the White House’s Executive Residence, and what spaces does it include?

The Executive Residence is a massive six-story mansion that includes the basement, first and second floors, attic, and public ground floor. It contains around 20,000 square feet of space, including 20 bedrooms, 35 bathrooms, and various offices and personal spaces.

What role does the incoming president’s transition team play in preparing the White House for the new family?

The incoming president’s transition team receives a questionnaire from the Chief Usher to gather preferences about food, decor, and other details, ensuring the White House meets the new family’s needs and preferences.

How are personal items and gifts handled during the move-out process?

Personal items and gifts given to the president are packed up by White House staff and either stored, archived in the National Archives, or returned to special antique movers, as these are considered property of the U.S. government.

What kind of changes can a new president make to the White House, and are there any limitations?

A new president and first lady can make requests for remodeling or decorating the White House, such as choosing furniture, artwork, and even making structural changes. However, some requests, like outdoor pools or controversial decor, may be denied for security or historical preservation reasons.

What specific role does the cleaning crew play in preparing the White House for the new administration?

The cleaning crew ensures that the White House is spotless by addressing any messes, including repairing or replacing damaged items, such as carpets or furniture, ensuring everything is pristine for the new family.

Why is the task of moving out and moving in so time-sensitive on inauguration day?

The staff has a limited window of about 5 to 6 hours after the outgoing president leaves for the swearing-in ceremony to complete all preparations, including moving furniture, cleaning, and setting up for the new president’s family, with a strict timetable to ensure everything is done on time.

What is the 'nuclear football' and how is it handled during the transition?

The nuclear football is a briefcase containing communication tools and verification codes for the president to access America's nuclear arsenal. It is transferred discreetly from the outgoing president’s officer to the incoming officer during the inauguration, ensuring that the new president has control over national defense.

Can mistakes happen during the transition period, and if so, how are they handled?

Yes, mistakes can happen, such as misplaced items or last-minute issues with decor. However, the White House staff is highly organized and efficient, quickly resolving any problems, like when Hillary Clinton’s gown was misplaced during the inauguration, ensuring the event goes smoothly.