President Joe Biden is set to visit Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday for a final trip in office, where he will attend a church service and visit the International African American Museum ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Biden is traveling with first lady Jill Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, and his daughter, Ashley Biden, who is reportedly aboard the plane. At the service at Royal Missionary Baptist Church, Biden will discuss Dr. King’s legacy and the ongoing fight to realize his dream. The president and first lady will also deliver remarks at the International African American Museum.
South Carolina holds a special significance for Biden, who was revitalized by the state’s support in the 2020 Democratic primary. He won the state’s primary by a large margin, which set him on a path to winning the Democratic nomination. Biden’s connection to South Carolina extends beyond politics, as he has vacationed in the state with his family, including a trip to Kiawah Island just weeks after the death of his son Beau in 2015.
“Biden decided that as he’s bringing his 50-year public service career to a close, it was fitting and proper to do it in South Carolina,” said Rep. Jim Clyburn, a close ally of the president. The Biden family has often turned to South Carolina for relaxation and comfort.