Trump Details First Day Objectives at Inauguration Eve Rally

WASHINGTON—President-elect Donald Trump addressed supporters at a rally on Sunday, just a day before Inauguration Day, held at the Capitol One Arena in downtown Washington.

During the “Make America Great Again” victory rally, Trump provided a glimpse into the actions he intends to take after being sworn in on January 20 as the 47th president of the United States.

“We won,” Trump declared as he commenced his speech.

“Tomorrow at noon, we will close the curtain on four years of American decline, ushering in a new era of strength, prosperity, dignity, and pride for our nation,” he shared with his supporters.

“This is the largest political movement in American history.”

In his hour-long address, Trump announced plans to sign a series of executive orders, which he described as the “most aggressive effort” to secure the nation’s borders.

“We will initiate the largest deportation operation in American history,” he stated, claiming it would surpass President Dwight Eisenhower’s efforts.

“By nightfall tomorrow, the invasion at our borders will cease,” he added.

He also asserted that through these measures, “my administration will ensure justice for every family affected by crime committed by migrants,” mentioning specific victims who had been killed by illegal immigrants.

“And tomorrow, everyone in this massive arena will be pleased with my decision regarding the January 6 prisoners,” Trump indicated, without disclosing the specifics of his plans for those convicted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021 events.

Trump further shared his strategy for the social media platform TikTok.

The president-elect previously mentioned he would sign an executive order delaying the federal ban on the app. Following this, TikTok announced that it had reinstated access in the U.S.

“As of today, TikTok is operational again,” Trump proclaimed at the rally.

He suggested that ownership of the app be transitioned to a joint venture, with the U.S. holding a 50 percent share.

Staying true to his campaign promises, Trump also announced that his administration would publish the remaining records concerning the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the coming days.

Both Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance are scheduled to take their oaths of office at noon ET on Monday. The 60th Presidential Inauguration ceremony will occur in the Capitol Rotunda due to expected bitterly cold temperatures, dropping to around 10 degrees.

What would typically have been a quiet Sunday in downtown Washington transformed into a vibrant scene, as Trump supporters converged from across the nation to partake in four days of festivities. Despite the inclement weather, which included rain and occasional snow, many people queued early in the morning to gain entry to the rally at the Capitol One Arena, home to the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards.

The rally was held on a newsworthy day as well, with reports emerging from Gaza about the release of the first three hostages as part of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization.

During his speech, Trump referred to his Middle East special envoy, Steve Witkoff, as a “remarkable negotiator.”

“Our incoming administration has managed all of this in the Middle East in under three months without holding the presidential office,” Trump noted.

Witkoff, speaking at the rally, stated that Trump’s role in arranging the Gaza peace and hostage agreement was vital.

“The president was instrumental in this release, and we owe him our gratitude on behalf of all the families,” he told the audience.

Trump also highlighted his new initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory body consisting of non-governmental entities, and invited tech billionaire Elon Musk, one of the initiative’s leaders, to join him on stage.

Musk briefly took the stage with his 4-year-old son, X.

“We’re eager to implement numerous changes,” Musk expressed. “This victory marks the beginning.”

Trump extended his thanks to Musk for his support during the presidential campaign, specifically his efforts in securing a win in Pennsylvania.

The incoming president also announced plans to travel to California on Friday to assess the damage caused by recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

“Together, we will rebuild Los Angeles, ensuring it is better and more beautiful than ever,” he proclaimed.

Sunday’s rally featured performances by Kid Rock, Lee Greenwood, and The Village People.

Trump committed to reversing President Joe Biden’s executive orders “within hours” of taking office on Monday, with a keen focus on initiatives pertaining to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“Oh, you’ll certainly enjoy watching television tomorrow,” he told his supporters.

Speakers at the rally included members of the Trump family, Girls Gone Bible, actor Jon Voight, Trump’s appointed Homeland Security advisor Stephen Miller, independent journalist Megyn Kelly, and UFC President and CEO Dana White.

Trump’s son Eric Trump, along with his wife Lara and their two children, also took the stage. A memorable moment was when the children recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The weekend saw numerous inaugural balls scheduled across the nation’s capital. One such event, the Official Hispanic Inaugural Ball, was held on Saturday at the Omni Shoreham Hotel and drew guests including President Javier Milei of Argentina, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), and Donald Trump Jr.

Evelyn Nunez Jones, based in Orange County, California, is one of the fundraisers for the Inaugural Committee and an organizer of the Hispanic Inaugural Ball.

“I feel relieved and grateful to be entering a new era,” Jones shared with The Epoch Times ahead of the rally.

She believes that parental rights were pivotal to Trump’s electoral success.

“The Hispanic community places a strong emphasis on family, and parental rights have significantly influenced people to change their political affiliations,” she remarked, highlighting the growing support for Trump among Hispanic voters.

Trump’s rally attracted not just domestic supporters but also international figures. A key attendee was Suella Braverman, a conservative member of the UK Parliament and former home secretary.

“This represents a crucial moment in not only American history but also for the West and the entire globe,” Braverman expressed to The Epoch Times.

“I am very thankful for Trump’s policies here in America that advocate for strong borders, promote business and job growth, foster prosperity, and a return to common-sense governance—qualities that are desperately needed in the United Kingdom,” she added.

Jacob Burg and Jackson Richman contributed to this report.