On the eve of his inauguration, US President-elect Donald Trump pledged to implement a series of emergency actions, beginning with stringent measures against what he termed an “invasion” of immigrants at the Mexican border.
Addressing a large crowd at a Washington arena, Trump expressed his commitment to resolving the nation’s crises with unprecedented speed and strength. “Starting tomorrow, I will fix every crisis facing our country with historic speed and strength,” Trump declared to an enthusiastic audience before his second term inauguration.
At this rally, Trump was accompanied on stage by Elon Musk, the tech mogul poised to lead significant cost reductions in Trump’s administration. Musk promised to achieve “great things” and bolster America’s strength for the future. During his campaign-style speech, the 78-year-old Trump emphasized immigration, echoing the stark rhetoric that played a significant role in his November election victory.
“We’re going to stop the invasion of our borders,” Trump asserted, hinting at imminent raids targeting undocumented migrants shortly after his administration begins.
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Trump also criticized Democratic President Joe Biden’s outgoing administration, describing it as a failure. The event drew numerous celebrity endorsements, including from actor Jon Voight and musician Kid Rock, who praised Trump extensively.
Despite snowy weather, long lines of Trump supporters gathered outside the arena. “I wanted to see history unfold before my eyes,” said Alan McNeely, a 21-year-old student from Connecticut.
In a symbolic gesture, Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This visit was starkly different from his previous visit as a candidate, which had drawn criticism from the US Army. Trump’s multifaceted ties with the military feature public backing and private disputes.
Due to freezing temperatures, the inauguration ceremony was moved indoors to the Rotunda, which hosted Ronald Reagan’s inauguration 40 years ago.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s incoming press secretary, told America’s Newsroom on Fox News, “You’re going to hear President Trump talk about how we are entering a Golden Age of America” during his inaugural speech.
Now that he is back in office, Trump plans immediate actions, including the deportation of millions of undocumented migrants and a slew of executive orders to reverse Biden’s policies on diversity and energy drilling. Biden, meanwhile, spent his last full day as president in South Carolina, commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The “Trump effect” was evident as TikTok credited his intervention with restoring its US operations after a brief shutdown due to national security concerns. “We have to save TikTok,” Trump proclaimed at the rally. He also indicated plans to delay the ban and negotiate a deal to shift its US operations away from Chinese ownership.
Moreover, in the Middle East, the release of the first three Israeli hostages marked a significant development under a Gaza truce, which Trump’s team facilitated alongside Biden’s administration.
