During his speech, Trump announced plans to sign multiple executive orders on his first day in office, focusing on declaring an emergency at the southern border and initiating mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. He stated, "By the time the sun sets tomorrow evening, the invasion of our borders will have come to a halt and all the illegal border trespassers will, in some form or another, be on their way back home."
The President-elect criticized the previous administration's immigration policies, vowing to reverse them and restore what he described as "law and order" to the nation's borders. He declared, "We put America first and it all starts tomorrow. When I raise my hand on the Bible to be sworn as your 47th president of the United States."
In addition to immigration, Trump outlined plans to address other policy areas through executive actions. These include energy policies aimed at unlocking pipelines and enabling drilling in the National Arctic Wildlife Refuge, as well as reversing investments in renewable energy made by the previous administration. He also mentioned government reforms, such as ending remote work policies for federal employees and reversing diversity initiatives.
The rally featured a lineup of prominent supporters and entertainers. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and X, addressed the crowd, while musical performances included artists like Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood, and The Village People. The event marked Trump's first major appearance in Washington since January 6, 2021, and served as a prelude to his inauguration ceremony.
Despite inclement weather, with temperatures in the upper 30s and forecasts of snow, supporters lined up several blocks before the venue opened, demonstrating their enthusiasm and commitment. The inauguration ceremony was moved indoors to the Capitol Rotunda due to the cold weather, with thousands of supporters expected to attend.
Trump's return to the presidency marks a historic political comeback, making him the second president in U.S. history to regain the office after a previous defeat, following Grover Cleveland in 1893. His inauguration is set to include a series of events, such as a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and multiple inaugural balls.