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President Jimmy Carter has arrived in D.C. for the Presidential Inauguration ... and #39 tells TMZ he's SUPER EXCITED to be in the front row when Beyonce performs the National Anthem.

The ex-Prez was walking through Reagan National Airport with his wife Rosalynn when we asked if he was looking forward to seeing Beyonce take the mic today after President Barack Obama is sworn in to his 2nd term in office.

"I really am ... I'm looking forward to seeing it," Carter told us. He then cracked a smirk and quipped "and also the President."

We asked if he was also excited to see Jay-Z as well ... to which Jimmy replied, "Absolutely!"