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Donald Trump vowed to act with “historic speed and strength” to end “American decline” as he addressed a cheering crowd of supporters in Washington DC on the eve of his return to the White House.
“Tomorrow at noon the curtain will close on four long years of American decline and we will begin a brand new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride,” Trump told the thousands gathered at the city’s Capital One Arena.
“I will act with historic speed and strength and resolve every crisis facing our country.”
The speech was Trump’s first address to a crowd in Washington since the riots of January 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the election of Joe Biden as president.
It tackled many of the dark campaign themes that won him a second term in November, from open borders to rampant crime to indoctrination by the radical left, and also announced a flurry of executive orders after his inauguration on Monday.
“Every radical and stupid executive order from the Biden administration will be repealed within hours of my taking office,” he promised to cheers.
He promised Implementing regulations to deport undocumented immigrants, deregulate oil and gas production, pardon January 6 rioters and roll back diversity initiatives. He promised to declassify records related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert and civil rights leader Martin Luther King.
In contrast to events four years ago, the mood among MAGA faithful on Sunday was cheerful as they prepared for what they hoped would be sweeping changes in America during his second term.
“I’m here to see something historic,” said Anthony Tellier, 24, a student from Long Island who said free speech has been restricted under Biden’s presidency.
“My biggest problem in the last four years. . . If you say something that leans even slightly to the right, you will be seen as a pariah,” he said. “Trump will bring more open discourse.”
Thousands of Trump supporters braved the sleet and freezing temperatures in the US capital to take part in the “victory rally”. Trump hailed it as the “greatest political movement in American history.”
The excitement that ran through the crowd was palpable. Many had lined up outside the hockey and basketball stadium for hours as vendors sold Maga 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 Braunsfels, Texas. “I think that we are made of good materials and that we have something to stand for. And we don’t have to feel sorry for ourselves. We must be proud and strong and good.”
“I want America to be worthy of Davy Crockett and the log cabin legends we grew up with,” he added, referring to the Texas frontiersman.
Ahead of Trump’s address, singer Kid Rock and actor Jon Voight were among the celebrities cheering on the crowd, many of them wearing red “Make America Great Again” baseball caps.
Some of those present were locals. Alice Turner of Alexandria, Virginia, had signed up to volunteer at the event to “give something back” to the president, hoping he would move quickly on his agenda on everything from immigration to the economy.
“I’m just looking for justice. I want the border to be closed, security to be improved and the J-Sixers to come out,” she said, referring to the Jan. 6 rioters.
But others had come from much further away. Paula Park traveled with friends from Smithville, Ontario, Canada, to show her support for Trump – who has proposed taking over Canada as the 51st US province.
“We hope that President Trump will push (Canadian Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau over the edge so we can be as great as America,” Park, 61, said.
