Trump pledges series of Day 1 executive actions to end ‘four long years of American decline’

WASHINGTON (AP):

United States (US) President-elect Donald Trump used a raucous rally yesterday, on the eve of his inauguration, to promise swift Day One action remaking the federal government, shifting federal priorities at breakneck speed and ensuring that “the curtain closes on four long years of American decline”.

Supporters filled nearly all of the 20,000-plus-seat Capital One Arena in downtown Washington for a “Make America Great” victory celebration and cheered as Trump said he would 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 programmes.

“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,” said Trump, who also promised to roll back executive actions by his predecessor, outgoing President Joe Biden, “within hours”.

In an unusual move, Trump entered at the arena’s concourse level and deliberately made his way down the stairs before his speech, stopping frequently to pump his fist and pose for pictures with rallygoers. It was even more surreal after he finished speaking, when the Village People took the stage and the president-elect sang – and even briefly danced – along to YMCA, an unofficial anthem of his campaign.

Trump said he would 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.”

Sunday was Trump’s first full day back in Washington since his Election Day victory and gave him a chance to energise core supporters before the official pomp of Inauguration Day. Unlike when Trump helped spark a mob of his supporters to attack the Capitol and tried to retain power in 2021 after his loss to Biden, officials did not expect massive protests, unrest, or violence.

Instead, jubilant crowds revelled in Trump’s coming second term and MAGA’s total control of the Republican Party.

Yet even with a comfortable Electoral College victory and his party in full – albeit narrow – control of Congress, the incoming president is one of the most polarising figures in US history, with nearly as many fierce detractors as ardent supporters. That means it could be difficult for Trump to fulfil post-electioin pledges to promote bipartisanship while healing political differences.

Trump has, nonetheless, insisted that unity will be a theme of his inauguration speech Monday, along with strength and fairness – despite spending months as a candidate saying that if elected, he would seek retribution against political enemies.