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Donald Trump promised to act with “historic speed and strength” to end “American decline” as he addressed a jubilant crowd of supporters in Washington DC on the eve of his return to the White House.
“Tomorrow at noon the curtain closes on four long years of American decline and we begin a brand new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride,” Trump told the thousands gathered in the city’s Capital One Arena.
“I will act with historic speed and strength and fix every crisis facing our country.”
The speech marked Trump’s first time addressing a crowd in Washington since the January 6 riots of 2021, when his supporters stormed the Capitol building in a failed bid to overturn Joe Biden’s election as president.
It reprised many of the dark campaign themes that won him a second term in office in November, from open borders to rampant crime to radical left indoctrination, as well as foreshadowing a flurry of executive orders following his inauguration on Monday.
“Every radical and foolish executive order of the Biden administration will be repealed within an hours of when I take office,” he promised to cheers.
He pledged executive orders to deport undocumented immigrants, deregulate oil and gas production, pardon January 6 rioters and roll back diversity initiatives. He promised to declassify records on the assassinations of President John F Kennedy, his brother Robert and civil rights leader Martin Luther King.
In contrast to the events of four years ago, the mood among the Maga faithful on Sunday was jubilant as they braced for what they hoped would be sweeping change in America during his second term.
“I’m here to see something historic,” said Anthony Tellier, 24, a student from Long Island, who said freedom of speech had been curtailed under Biden’s presidency.
“My biggest problem over the last four years . . . is if you say anything that even leans slightly to the right, you’re looked at as a pariah,” he said. “Trump will bring a more open discourse.”
Thousands of Trump supporters braved sleet and freezing temperatures in the US capital to attend the “victory rally”. Trump praised them as the “greatest political movement in American history”.
The excitement that rippled through the crowd was palpable. Many had spent hours queueing outside the hockey and basketball stadium 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 defence contractor from New Braunsfels, Texas. “I think we’re made of good stuff and I think we have something to stand for. And we don’t need to feel bad for ourselves. We need to be proud and strong and good.”
“I want to see America worthy of Davy Crockett and the log cabin legends that we were raised on,” he added, referring to the Texas frontiersman.
Ahead of Trump’s address, singer Kid Rock and actor Jon Voight were among the celebrities who fired up the crowd, many of whom were clad in red “Make America Great Again” baseball caps.
Some in attendance were locals. Alice Turner from Alexandria, Virginia, had signed up to volunteer at the event to “give back” to the president and hoped he would quickly roll out his agenda on everything from immigration to the economy.
“I’m just looking for justice. I’m looking for the border to be closed, better security and the J-Sixers to get out,” she said, referring to the January 6 rioters.
But others had come from much further afield. Paula Park travelled with friends from Smithville in the Canadian province of Ontario to show her support for Trump — who has suggested Canada should be absorbed as the 51st US province.
“We’re hoping that President Trump will push [Canadian Prime Minister] Justin Trudeau over the edge so that we can become as great as America,” said Park, 61.
