Washington: White House officials are planning a short, subdued farewell ceremony for Donald Trump as he leaves Washington on Wednesday morning for the last time as President, according to a copy of the invitation seen by Bloomberg News.

The event is scheduled for 8am Washington DC local time at Joint Base Andrews just outside the nation’s capital, where the outgoing President will make his departure aboard Air Force One for Florida. Invitations have been circulated to supporters, including former administration officials and other backers, asking them to arrive by 7.15am.

Trump has decided to skip the January 20 inauguration of his successor, Joe Biden, at the Capitol, becoming the first living US President in more than a century to choose not to attend the regular exchange of power. Trump will instead be at his Mar-a-Lago resort as the incoming president is sworn in at noon that day.

At this point Trump is not opting not to issue a pardon for himself as he prepares an expansive list of more than 100 pardons and commutations for release the day before Inauguration, a source familiar with the effort said.