Trump Promises “Extraordinary” First 100 Days, Vows to End “American Decline” at Pre-Inauguration Rally
President-elect Donald Trump, in a raucous pre-inauguration rally, vowed to usher in a new era of American strength and prosperity, declaring the end of what he called “four long years of American decline,” Al Jazeera reports.
Speaking to a packed crowd of 20,000 supporters at the Capital One Arena on Sunday, Trump promised an “extraordinary” first 100 days in office, signaling a dramatic shift in policy direction.
“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 declared at the “Make America Great Again (MAGA) Victory Rally.”
He further pledged to end the reign of a “failed and corrupt political establishment in Washington.”
Trump, 78, is set to be sworn in as the 47th US President at 17:00 GMT on Monday. Due to cold weather, the inauguration ceremony has been moved indoors to the rotunda of the Capitol building
At the rally, Trump outlined a broad agenda that included cracking down on illegal immigration, promoting oil drilling, curbing the federal workforce, and dismantling diversity programs. These measures, he asserted, would usher in a “brand-new day of American strength and prosperity.”
The event marked Trump’s first major address in Washington, D.C., since his speech on January 6, 2021, prior to the storming of the US Capitol. Trump reiterated his intention to pardon many of the more than 1,500 people convicted or charged in connection with the attack.
Maintaining his populist appeal, Trump entered the arena through a public entrance, walking through the crowds of supporters before taking the stage. He pledged to immediately repeal “every radical and foolish executive order of the Biden administration,” and local reports indicate that he is expected to issue over 200 executive actions on Monday
In a move likely to garner significant attention, Trump also promised to release historical files pertaining to the assassinations of prominent figures of the 1960s, including President John F. Kennedy, his brother Bobby Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, CEO of Space X, Tesla, and owner of X, once again played a prominent role at the rally. A vocal supporter of Trump during the recent election, Musk is slated to head the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasked with slashing the federal workforce and government spending.
