Monday is Memorial Day in the United States - the day when military personnel and veterans are honored - and the president is scheduled to host a White House breakfast for veteran groups, the White House said.
Obama landed at Andrews Air Force Base in nearby Maryland at 104) GMT and soon after arrived in the White House via helicopter.
The president is also scheduled to lay a wreath and deliver remarks at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, the US military's principal cemetery.
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Vice President Joe Biden will be at the event along with his wife Jill and Obama's wife Michelle. The two women are known for their work helping military families.
Obama made a covert night-time trip from the White House to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan aboard a darkened Air Force One on a Sunday visit meant to hail the sacrifices of US soldiers.
His four-hour visit provoked a new spat with outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karzai, with whom Obama has a strained relationship.
US officials said Obama offered to see the Afghan leader at the sprawling US base but decided not to go to his palace in central Kabul. They did not say how much notice they had given the Afghan leader.
Karzai interpreted Obama's invitation as a snub. "The government of Afghanistan is prepared to warmly welcome the US president in the presidential palace, but it does not intend to go to Bagram to meet Obama," read an Afghan statement.
Obama later telephoned Karzai as he flew out and the pair talked for 15 to 20 minutes, a senior administration said.
