Trump pledges to unify US on inauguration eve
But protesters vow to shut down or disrupt ceremony in Washington
Billionaire Republican Donald Trump on Thursday pledged to bring unity to the United States as he swept into Washington on the eve of the most consequential moment ofhislife—hisinaugurationas 45th president of the country.
On Friday, Trump was scheduled to cap an extraordinary and improbable run for the White House when he takes the reins from President Barack Obama at midday, launching the nation into uncharted waters.
The 70-year-old leader-inwaiting traveled from New York aboard a government jet to a military base near the capital with his wife Melania.
He then spent the afternoon in Washington attending preinaugural festivities that have become traditions for presidents-elect.
“We’re going to unify our country,” Trump told a cheering crowd of thousands in front of the Lincoln Memorial after a concert that ended in a burst of fireworks.
“We’re going to do things that haven’t been done for our country for many, many decades,” he added. “It’s going to change. I promise you.”
Protests
Earlier in the day, Trump lunched with Republican congressional leaders and his cabinet nominees. He then was whisked to Arlington National Cemetery, where he and vicepresident-elect Mike Pence laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
He then crossed back over the Potomac River to speak at the marble memorial, where at one point he looked up and saluted the seated statue of Abraham Lincoln.
“There’s never been a movement like this,” Trump said, describing the wave of support among working-class citizens that pushed him to victory over Hillary Clinton in one of the most divisive elections in US history.
“Well, you’re not forgotten anymore,” he said. “We’re going to get it turned around. We’re going to bring our jobs back.”
As hundreds of thousands of people were expected to fill Washington for the inauguration, and while the majority of those expected in Washington on Friday will be there to celebrate, some protesters say their plan is to do their best to disrupt the day.
A coalition calling itself DisruptJ20, after the date of the inauguration, says people participating in its actions will attempt to shut down or cause delays at security checkpoints going in to the inauguration ceremony. They intend to block checkpoints and in some cases risk arrest.
“Our goals are to have to have massive protests and to shut down the inauguration if at all possible, and if not possible if we can’t shut the inauguration down then make it as difficult as possible for Trump to act as if he has a mandate,” organizer David Thurston said.
We’re going to do things that haven’t been done for our country for many, many decades.” Donald Trump, US president-elect