End of the Trip
End of the Trip This section marks the conclusion of events in Dallas and the transition to the return journey to Washington, D.C., including the swearing in of the new President aboard Air Force One and the subsequent return flight with arrival at Andrews Air Force Base.
Swearing in of the New President
Swearing in of the New President From Air Force One, Vice President Johnson telephoned Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who advised that he take the Presidential oath of office before the plane left Dallas. Federal Judge Sarah T. Hughes rushed to the plane to administer the oath, which was witnessed by members of both the Presidential and Vice-Presidential parties in the central compartment. At 2:38 p.m. CST, Lyndon Baines Johnson took the oath of office as the 36th President of the United States, with Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. Johnson standing at his side. The Presidential airplane departed for Washington, D.C. nine minutes later.
Return to Washington, D.C.
Return to Washington, D.C. During the return flight, Mrs. Kennedy sat with David Powers, Kenneth O’Donnell, and Lawrence O’Brien. At 5:58 p.m. EST, Air Force One landed at Andrews Air Force Base, where President Kennedy had begun his final trip only 31 hours earlier. Detailed security arrangements had been made by radio from the plane, the public was excluded from the base, and only Government officials and the press were permitted near the landing area. President Johnson made a brief television and radio statement. President and Mrs. Johnson were flown by helicopter to the White House; Mrs. Johnson was then driven to her residence under Secret Service escort, while the President walked to the Executive Office Building, where he worked until 9 p.m.
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