DONALD Trump said "we'll be back" as he got a hero's send off with a lavish ceremony at Joint Base Andrews after leaving the White House.
The President and the First Lady – Melania Trump – addressed the crowd at the air base in Maryland after they departed Washington DC for the last time on Marine One.
Read our Inauguration Day 2021 live blog for the very latest news and updates on Joe Biden's swearing-in and Donald Trump's exit…
The outgoing president landed at the base and was met by a 21 gun salute along with cheers from his family and supporters.
Taking the podium as Hail to the Chief blared, he said it had been an "incredible four years" and insisted "we'll be back".
He was met by chants of "USA, USA" and "thank you Trump" as attendees to his farewell rally waved the Stars and Stripes.
"I will always fight for you, I will be watching, I will be listening. The future of this country has never been better," Trump said.
He added: "Have a good life, we'll see you soon" before leaving stage with YMCA blaring over the loud speakers.
Trump refused to mention Biden by name as he departed before heading to Florida, but wished the incoming administration a "great success".
And as Air Force One taxied down the runway Frank Sinatra's My Way blasted as the Trumps said goodbye to DC.
Trump leaves the White House as:
- He pardons Lil Wayne, Kodak Black and 140 more
- He is reportedly furious at A-listers who snubbed his inauguration but are appearing at Biden's
- He is considering starting a new 'Patriot Party'
- His defining moments from his four years in office are revealed
The Republican departed the White House for the final time at around 8am ET and will end his day in Palm Beach, Florida.
"Hopefully it is not a long-term goodbye. We'll see each other again," Trump said to reporters waiting on the South Lawn.
He is expected to arrive in the Sunshine State at 11am ET – before the inauguration ceremony starts.
Vice President Mike Pence is expected to ditch Trump and attend Biden's inauguration after the two fell out of the VP's decision not to try overturn the results of the election.
Former presidents George W Bush, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are all expected to attend the Biden's swearing in.
It will be the final time Trump is seen during his four-year presidential term.
He is departing the White House just hours after presenting his farewell speech on Tuesday night.
"This week, we inaugurate a new Administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous," Trump said.
The president said the administration came with a "mission to make America great again".
He added: "For all Americans. As I conclude my term as the 45th president of the United States, I stand here truly proud of what we have achieved, together."
"We did what we came here to do – and so much more."
The outgoing president also addressed the riots that took over the US Capitol on January 6.
Five people died after Trump's supporters stormed the political hub, assaulting police officers and destroying property.
"All Americans were horrified by the assault on our Capitol," Trump said.
"Political violence is an attack on everything we cherish as Americans. It can never be tolerated."
Following the attack on the Capitol, security has been heightened for Biden's inauguration.
National Guard chief General Daniel Hokanson said that the 25,000 troops that will be in the district were "trained and ready for anything," and he is not concerned about an insider threat.
Defense officials were vetting the National Guard troops in Washington, DC, following fears of an "inside attack at inauguration" or some other threat from service members.
On Tuesday, roughly a dozen members of the National Guard were pulled from Biden's inauguration security based on the "routine" vetting process – not because of "radical extremist concerns," NBC reported.
Officials reportedly said they were removed "based on routine background checks against criminal history database."
"Some was also based on concerns raised by fellow guard members about statements they heard," NBC reported, adding officials say it's "a matter of zero tolerance."
An Army official and an intelligence official confirmed the removal to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity due to Defense Department media regulations.
The FBI also warned law enforcement on Tuesday that the person who constructed two pipe bombs, left near the Capitol in DC on January 6, has not yet been found.
The bureau considers finding the culprit a "top priority" before Inauguration Day events get underway.
The bombs were left outside of the Republican National Committee headquarters and the Democratic National Committee headquarters on the day of the attempted coup on the Capitol, and law enforcement confirmed that both were functioning, though they did not detonate.
The FBI is concerned that the person who created the devices may be trying to make more, Fox News reported.
On Wednesday morning, Joe Biden is set to be sworn-in at 11.30am ET.
Both Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will have their hand on the Bible on the West Front of the US Capitol Building.
Harris will be sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Then Biden will be sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts at noon ET, and will become the nation's 46th president.
After they take their oaths, Biden will deliver his inaugural address "laying out his vision to defeat the pandemic, build back better, and unify and heal the nation," according to the PIC.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told CNN that the address "is definitely not a speech about Donald Trump."
In addition, pop superstar Lada Gaga will sing the national anthem and Jennifer Lopez will also perform.
There will be about 1,000 guests in attendance, including members of Congress.
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