While the team of doctors at Parkland Hospital tried desperately to save the life of President Kennedy, Mrs. Kennedy alternated between watching them and waiting outside.[C2-257] After the President was pronounced dead, O’Donnell tried to persuade Mrs. Kennedy to leave the area, but she refused. She said that she intended to stay with her husband.[C2-258] A casket was obtained and the President’s body was prepared for removal.[C2-259] Before the body could be taken from the hospital, two Dallas officials informed members of the President’s staff that the body could not be removed from the city until an autopsy was performed. Despite the protests of these officials, the casket was wheeled out of the hospital, placed in an ambulance, and transported to the airport shortly after 2 p.m.[C2-260] At approximately 2:15 p.m. the casket was loaded, with some difficulty because of the narrow airplane door, onto the rear of the Presidential plane where seats had been removed to make room.[C2-261] Concerned that the local officials might try to prevent the plane’s departure, O’Donnell asked that the pilot take off immediately. He was informed that takeoff would be delayed until Vice President Johnson was sworn in.[C2-262] THE END OF THE TRIP Swearing in of the New President From the Presidential airplane, the Vice President telephoned Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who advised that Mr. Johnson take the Presidential oath of office before the plane left Dallas.[C2-263] Federal Judge Sarah T. Hughes hastened to the plane to administer the oath.[C2-264] Members of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential parties filled the central compartment of the plane to witness the swearing in. At 2:38 p.m., c.s.t., Lyndon Baines Johnson took the oath of office as the 36th President of the United States.[C2-265] Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. Johnson stood at the side of the new President as he took the oath of office.[C2-266] Nine minutes later, the Presidential airplane departed for Washington, D.C.[C2-267] Return to Washington, D.C. On the return flight, Mrs. Kennedy sat with David Powers, Kenneth O’Donnell, and Lawrence O’Brien.[C2-268] At 5:58 p.m., e.s.t., _Air Force One_ landed at Andrews AFB, where President Kennedy had begun his last trip only 31 hours before.[C2-269] Detailed security arrangements had been made by radio from the President’s plane on the return flight.[C2-270] The public had been excluded from the base, and only Government officials and the press were permitted near the landing area. Upon arrival, President Johnson made a brief statement over television and radio. President and Mrs. Johnson were flown by helicopter to the White House, from where Mrs. Johnson was driven to her residence under Secret Service escort. The President then walked to the Executive Office Building, where he worked until 9 p.m.[C2-271] The Autopsy