Donald Trump has made a bold return to office, vowing to take immediate and aggressive actions as he assumes the presidency. Speaking at a packed "Make America Great Again Victory Rally" in Washington, he pledged to impose severe limits on immigration on his very first day in office. He described the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border as an "invasion" and promised to halt it "by the time the sun sets tomorrow." His plans include launching what he called the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, although such an operation would likely be costly and take years to implement.
Trump also announced sweeping policy changes, including the repeal of over 200 executive orders from the Biden administration. Border security was highlighted as a priority, with measures such as reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy and classifying drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Additionally, he vowed to construct a missile defense shield over the United States, though details of how this would be achieved remain unclear.
In his rally speech, Trump promised to "get radical woke ideologies the hell out of our military" and hinted at plans to declassify documents related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. These announcements, delivered in Trump’s signature campaign style, were met with loud cheers from his enthusiastic supporters.
The inauguration ceremony has been moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda due to cold weather. Approximately 25,000 law enforcement personnel will provide security for the event. Some festivities will also take place at the Capital One Arena, where Trump held his rally. The venue was packed with supporters braving freezing temperatures and long waits to show their loyalty to the returning president.
Trump’s rally had a celebratory yet controversial tone, echoing his earlier campaigns with a mix of bold promises and divisive rhetoric. The former president took credit for delaying a U.S. ban on TikTok and hinted at a potential joint venture to save the app. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew and other tech executives, including Elon Musk, are expected to attend the inauguration.
Supporters at the rally expressed deep excitement and dedication to Trump. Many, dressed in red MAGA hats and jackets, chanted slogans like "USA! USA!" as they waited for the event. One supporter, Val Tordjman, traveled from Denver and planned to spend the night on the streets despite the freezing weather, calling the inauguration a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden spent his final day in office in South Carolina, attending services for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Speaking at Royal Missionary Baptist Church, Biden urged Democrats not to lose hope despite the political shift. This marked a reflective end to his presidency as he prepared to hand over power.
Trump’s return signals a dramatic shift in the U.S. political landscape. With his aggressive stance on immigration, sweeping executive orders, and promises of immediate action, the early days of his presidency are likely to be highly contentious and closely watched both domestically and internationally.
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