On the eve of his inauguration and rally, Trump vowed to end the ‘decline of America’.
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Addressing cheering supporters in Washington DC on the eve of his return to the White House, Donald Trump vowed to act “with historic speed and strength” to end “America’s decline”.
“Tomorrow at noon, the curtain will close on four long years of American failure and we will begin a new day of American strength and prosperity, honor and pride,” Trump told thousands gathered at the city’s Capital One Arena.
“I will act with historic speed and strength and fix all the problems facing our country.”
The speech was the first time Trump has addressed a crowd in Washington since the January 6, 2021 riots, when his supporters stormed the Capitol building to overturn Joe Biden’s presidential bid.
He reiterated many of the dark campaign themes that won him a second term in November, from borders to high crime to far-left indoctrination, as well as touting executive orders following his inauguration on Monday.
“Every bigoted and stupid order of the Biden administration will be repealed within hours of taking office,” he gleefully promised.
The executive order promises to deport undocumented immigrants, regulate oil and gas production, pardon rioters on January 6, and restore diversity initiatives. He promised to declassify records of the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King.
Unlike the events of four years ago, the mood among the magpies on Sunday was upbeat as they supported what they thought would be a big change in America during his second term.
Anthony Tellier, a 24-year-old student from Long Island, said free speech had been thrown out by a Biden presidency, saying, “I’m here to see something historic.”
“My biggest problem in the last four years . . . “If you say something that leans a little to the right, you’re seen as a pariah,” he said. “Trump will bring more open speech.”
Thousands of Trump supporters braved the cold and dancing in the US capital to take part in the “victory march”. Trump hailed it as “the greatest political movement in American history.”
The excitement that erupted in the crowd was incredible. Many lined up outside hockey and basketball stadiums as vendors sold Maga merchandise and Trump merchandise.
“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’re made of good stuff and I think we have something to stand for. And we shouldn’t feel bad about ourselves. We should be proud and strong and good.
“I’d like to see America be worthy of Davy Crockett and the legend of the log cabin we grew up in,” he added, referring to the Texas border guard.
Ahead of Trump’s address, singer Kid Rock and actor Jon Voight were among the celebrities who fired up the crowd, many wearing “Make America Great Again” baseball caps.
Some of the people who attended the meeting were locals. Alice Turner, from Alexandria, Virginia, had signed up to volunteer at the event to “answer back” to the president and hoped he would quickly roll out an agenda ranging from immigration to the economy.
I just want justice. I want the border closed, better security and J-Sixes out,” she said, referring to the January 6 rioters.
But others came from far away. Paula Park traveled with friends from Smithville in the Canadian province of Ontario to show her support for Trump – who has suggested that Canada be absorbed as the 51st US state.
“We hope that President Trump will push[Canadian Prime Minister]Justin Trudeau over the edge to make us as big as America,” said Park, 61.
