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President Biden in Charleston Sunday: Live updates

President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden arrive in Charleston aboard Air Force One Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020.
Victoria Hansen
/
South Carolina Public Radio
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive on Air Force One at Joint Base Charleston. Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.

President Joe Biden visited South Carolina on his final full day in office to attended worship services and recognize his long relationship with a state that catapulted him to the 2020 Democratic nomination with the endorsement of Congressman Jim Clyburn.

President Joe Biden will arrive in Charleston today to pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and recognize his long relationship with South Carolina, a state that catapulted him to the 2020 Democratic nomination with the endorsement of Congressman Jim Clyburn.

White House officials now confirm the president will worship at Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston and deliver remarks on Dr. King's legacy, the day before the federal holiday honoring the civil rights leader.

Then, he’ll visit the International African American Museum at Gadsden’s wharf in Charleston, the site where some 200,000 thousand Africans were brought ashore and sold into slavery.

Tidal pool exhibit at the International African American Museum in Charleston just days before its opening June 24, 2023. The display depicts how Africans were stacked aboard ships before being unloaded at Gadsden's Wharf and sold in to slavery.
Victoria Hansen
/
South Carolina Public Radio
Tidal pool exhibit at the International African American Museum in Charleston just days before its opening June 24, 2023. The display depicts how Africans were stacked aboard ships before being unloaded at Gadsden's Wharf and sold into slavery.

The Charleston visit marks Biden’s last official day in office before he attends the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump Monday.

South Carolina Public Radio/SCETV’s Gavin Jackson and Victoria Hansen are closely following the president's visit as part of a traveling press pool. They’ll bring you live updates right here, so check back throughout the day.

 10:23 a.m. President Joe Biden arrives at Joint Base Charleston

202President Joe Biden embraces Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., as he arrives on Air Force One at Charleston Air Force Base in Charleston, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Stephanie Scarbrough/AP
/
AP
202President Joe Biden embraces Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., as he arrives on Air Force One at Charleston Air Force Base in Charleston, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

The president and first lady Jill Biden deplane with Biden's son Hunter and grandson behind them. President Biden shakes hands with a number of dignitaries and hugs Congressman Jim Clyburn.

The weather is chilly, and skies are gray, but the rain has let up for the president's arrival. The motorcade gets rolling by 10:30 headed to the next stop, Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston.

10:41 a.m. Biden arrives at Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston

Authorities from multiple agencies provide security as President Biden arrives at Royal Missionary Baptist Church. Jan. 19, 2025
Victoria Hansen
/
South Carolina Public Radio
Authorities from multiple agencies provide security as President Biden arrives at Royal Missionary Baptist Church. Jan. 19, 2025

President Biden's motorcade arrives at the church. He could not be seen entering the sanctuary, but Hunter Biden and his family are visible as they make their way inside, along with Congressman Jim Clyburn. Plenty of security surrounds the area as people hold up signs reading, "Thank You Mr. President" and "Thank U Joe!"

10:53 a.m. The president addresses the press

President Joe Biden addresses the press about ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in an upstairs room of Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston. Jan. 19, 2025.
Victoria Hansen
/
South Carolina Public Radio
President Joe Biden addresses the press about ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in an upstairs room of Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston. Jan. 19, 2025.

In an upstairs room of the church, Biden meets with reporters about the release of hostages by Hamas. He says the first phase of the deal includes two Americans who've been held captive.

"The road to this deal has not been easy at all, and a long road."

He adds the success of the ceasefire will depend on the next administration as well.

11:06 a.m. President Biden joins congregants for worship

President Joe Biden beside his wife Jill listening to a sermon from the front pew at Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston. Jan. 19, 2025.
Gavin Jackson/Gavin Jackson/SCETV
President Joe Biden at Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston on Jan. 19, 2025.

President Biden takes a seat in the front pew of the historically Black church, next to his wife and Congressman Jim Clyburn. North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess sits behind them.

The service focuses primarily on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a sermon about struggle and the faith to overcome.

12:31 a.m. President Biden speaks before the congregation

President Joe Biden speaks during a church service at Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.
Stephanie Scarbrough/AP
/
AP
President Joe Biden speaks during a church service at Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

The president carries a black folder to the pulpit and opens it before he speaks. He says the word hope comes to mind every time he visits a Black church. He also thanks Congressman Clyburn for the 2020 endorsement that brought him here.

At times, the packed church of both Black and white worshippers erupts in cheers.

Before he leaves, Biden tells the crowd he's not going anywhere.

"It's been the honor of my life to serve as your president."

1:11 p.m. the president's motorcade arrives at the International African American Museum

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden tour the International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, with Dr. Tanya Matthews, President & CEO, International African American Museum and others.
Stephanie Scarbrough/AP
/
AP
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden tour the International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, with Dr. Tonya Matthews, President & CEO, International African American Museum and others.

Guided by museum CEO Dr. Tonya Matthews, President Biden tours a Gullah Geechee exhibit at the International African American Museum as former, longtime Mayor Joe Riley and his wife (far left) look on.

Riley, a native of Charleston, aspired to build the museum more than 20 year to teach what he says he was never taught; the truth about African American history and the people who persevered despite slavery. The museum opened in June of 2023.

Joe Biden remarks to Dr. Matthews, "You should have a statue of Joe in here."

4:06 p.m. President Biden speaks before a diverse crowd at the museum

President Bidens speaks to a diverse crowded at the International African American Museum. Jan. 19, 2025
Victoria Hansen
/
South Carolina Public Radio
President Bidens speaks to a diverse crowded at the International African American Museum. Jan. 19, 2025

Congressman Jim Clyburn introduces the president, giving him a Carolina maple wood and handwoven sweet grass basket.

Both Clyburn and the president speak about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while many in the crowd wipe away tears.

Biden talks about equality and the strides that African Americans have made in this nation. He also speaks of his love for this state.

"Thank you for carrying us forward with kindness," he says. "With our whole hearts, we love you South Carolina."

The crowd is enthusiastic, despite a brisk, chilly wind whipping through the event.

4:56 p.m. The president and first lady board Air Force One at Joint Base Charleston

Air Force One prepares to leave Joint Base Charleston. Jan 19, 2024
Victoria Hansen
/
South Carolina Public Radio
Air Force One prepares to leave Joint Base Charleston. Jan 19, 2024

The sun is out, streaking the sky with a golden light as Air Force One gears up to take President Joe Biden home on this, the final full day of his presidency.

Gavin Jackson graduated with a visual journalism degree from Kent State University in 2008 and has been in the news industry ever since. He has worked at newspapers in Ohio, Louisiana and most recently in South Carolina at the Florence Morning News and Charleston Post and Courier.
Victoria Hansen is our Lowcountry connection covering the Charleston community, a city she knows well. She grew up in newspaper newsrooms and has worked as a broadcast journalist for more than 20 years. Her first reporting job brought her to Charleston where she covered local and national stories like the Susan Smith murder trial and the arrival of the Citadel’s first female cadet.