Oval Office farewell note tradition in doubt as Donald Trump clears his desk

A Marine stands outside the West Wing of the White House, signifying President Donald Trump is in the Oval Office (Evan Vucci/AP)

President Donald Trump and president-elect Joe Biden are already breaking with tradition in failing to travel to the Capitol together for Wednesday’s inauguration and it remains to be seen whether the outgoing president will leave a note in the Oval Office for its new occupant.

Previous presidential transitions have been marked with courtesy and sometimes humour, commodities in short supply during the 2020 tussle for the White House.