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Trump talks law and order, immigration and TikTok at rally

Source: Newsmax

Donald Trump has told thousands of roaring supporters he will curtail immigration on his first day in office, vowing to swiftly fulfil the central promise of his presidential campaign at a rally just a day before he returns to power.

“By the time the sun sets tomorrow, the invasion of our country will have come to a halt,” the US president-elect said to cheers at a Make America Great Again Victory Rally at Washington’s Capital One Arena on Sunday (local time).

Supporters cheered as Trump said he’d take quick action on everything from cracking down on the US-Mexico border to promoting oil drilling, reining in the federal workforce and eradicating diversity programs.

Trump repeated his campaign pledge to launch the largest deportation effort in US history, which would remove millions of immigrants.

“We’re going to give them the best first day, the biggest first week and the most extraordinary first 100 days of any presidency in American history,” he said.

Trump entered at the arena’s concourse level, stopping frequently to pump his fist and pose for pictures with fans.

After he finished speaking, the Village People took the stage and the president-elect sang — and even briefly danced — along to YMCA, the unofficial anthem of his campaign.

Trump said he’d jump start his agenda with a series of unilateral actions from the White House, telling the crowd, “You’re going to see executive orders that are going to make you extremely happy. Lots of them”.

The rally resembled the free-wheeling campaign speeches that have been a Trump staple, with him delivering a mix of boasts, false claims and sweeping promises to the delight of the crowd.

“This is the greatest political movement in American history, and 75 days ago, we achieved the most epic political victory our country has ever seen,” he said.

“Starting tomorrow, I will act with historic speed of strength and fix every single crisis facing our country.”

The event marked Trump’s first major address in Washington since his speech on January 6, 2021, which preceded the storming of the US Capitol by an angry mob of his supporters.

Trump has said he will pardon many of the more than 1500 people convicted or charged in connection with the attack.

Ahead of the event, Trump’s fans, many dressed in the campaign’s trademark red jackets and MAGA hats, waited in a cold, driving rain along several downtown Washington blocks, some chanting “USA! USA!”.

Streets around the US Capitol and White House have been blocked off by steel fences since last week, and police were visible throughout the city.

In recent weeks, Trump has bewildered foreign allies by musing aloud about taking over Greenland and the Panama Canal and turning Canada into a US state.

Also on Sunday, Trump had breakfast with Republican US senators at Blair House, the guest quarters across from the White House. He then visited Arlington National Cemetery to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew planned to attend the rally, hours after the company announced it was restoring its service thanks to Trump’s promise to delay a US ban that took effect on Sunday. Chew is also expected to join other tech executives at Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

Outgoing President Joe Biden, meanwhile, made his last official trip as president on Sunday to Charleston, South Carolina, to mark Martin Luther King Jr Day, which is also on Monday. He attended services and spoke about King’s legacy at Royal Missionary Baptist Church, while also urging despondent fellow Democrats not to give up hope.

The inauguration is scheduled for noon on Monday (4am AEDT Tuesday). Approximately 25,000 law enforcement personnel will be on hand to provide security.

-AAP

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