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Donald Trump promised to act with “historic speed and force” to end the “decline of America” as he addressed jubilant supporters in Washington on the eve of his return to the White House.
“Tomorrow at noon, four years of American decline will come to an end, and we will begin a new day of American strength, prosperity, dignity and pride,” Trump told thousands gathered at the city’s Capital One Arena. “I “We will act with historic speed and force to solve every crisis our country faces.”
The speech was Trump’s first to address a crowd in Washington since the riots on January 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed the Capitol in a failed attempt to overturn Joe Biden’s election as president.
It repeats many of the dark campaign themes that won him a second term, involving open borders, rampant crime and the indoctrination of the radical left, and foreshadows a series of executive orders following his inauguration on Monday.
“Every radical and stupid executive order of the Biden administration will be repealed within hours of my taking office,” Trump promised amid cheers.
He has promised to issue executive orders to deport immigrants, deregulate oil and gas production, pardon the Jan. 6 rioters, limit transgender athletes’ participation in sports and roll back diversity initiatives.
Trump has also pledged to declassify records on the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Compared to events four years ago, the mood Sunday among the Magi was jubilant as they prepared for sweeping changes in the United States during Trump’s second term.
“I’m very impressed with his plan, especially that he wants to sign 100 executive orders on the first day,” said Elizabeth Nottingham, a 59-year-old energy consultant who flew to Washington from Oklahoma. . “I think it’s going to be really important.”
She said the speech reinforced her optimism that Trump’s return to the White House would be a boon to ordinary Americans. “We’re not the top 1 percent of society. We’re small business owners. . . . So right now I’m confident that President Donald Trump will keep taxes low and do what’s necessary to help the economy,” she said.
Nottingham was one of thousands of Trump supporters who braved sleet, snow and freezing temperatures from across the county to attend Sunday’s “victory rally” in the nation’s capital.
“I came here to see something historic,” said Anthony Tellier, a 24-year-old student from Long Island, who said free speech has been curtailed during Biden’s presidency. “My biggest problem over the past four years is… if you speak even slightly to the right, you are treated as a pariah. Trump will bring a more open discourse.
Trump, who gave a wide-ranging speech in a typical campaign rally, was credited with reviving TikTok, freeing Israeli hostages in Gaza and boosting the stock market before taking office.
He also said Apple CEO Tim Cook told him on Sunday that the technology group would “make massive investments in the United States” as a result of his victory.
“We’ve accomplished more without the president than we’ve accomplished in the four years they’ve been president,” Trump told the crowd. “Imagine four more years in the White House and all the good things we’ll accomplish together. things.”
Many people lined up for hours outside the hockey and basketball arenas, where vendors sold Magga merchandise and Trump paraphernalia.
“I’m here to make America great again and do my part,” said Andrew Gardiner, a 44-year-old defense contractor from New Braunfels, Texas. “I think we are made of good stuff, and I think we have something worth representing. We don’t need to feel sorry for ourselves. We need to be proud, strong, and kind.
Before Trump spoke, celebrities including musician Kid Rock, Ultimate Fighting Championship chairman Dana White and actor Jon Voight fired up the crowd, many of whom Wearing a red “Make America Great Again” baseball cap.
Alice Turner of Alexandria, Virginia, said she signed up to “give back” to the president and hope he can quickly roll out an agenda on everything from immigration to the economy.
“I’m just looking for justice. I want the border to be closed, security to be better, and the J-76 people to be able to leave,” she said, referring to the Jan. 6 rioters. “I’m just very hopeful.”
