Trump vows to unify Americans
WASHINGTON — Billionaire Republican Donald Trump on Thursday pledged to bring unity to America as he swept into Washington on the eve of the most consequential moment of his life: His inauguration as 45th president of the United States.
Trump capped an extraordinary and improbable run for the White House when he takes the reins from President Barack Obama at mid-day Friday (dawn Saturday, Philippine time), launching the nation into uncharted waters.
The 70-year-old leaderin-waiting 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 pre-inaugural 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."
Earlier yesterday, Trump lunched with Republican congressional leaders and his cabinet nominees. He then was whisked to Arlington National Cemetery, where he and Vice Presidentelect 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," he said, describing the wave of support among working-class Americans who pushed Trump 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."
Later he tweeted: "Thank you for joining us at the Lincoln Memorial tonight — a very special evening! Together, we are going to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Trump's swearing-in on the steps of the Capitol was scheduled to be administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts at 11:47 a.m. (1647 GMT or 1 a.m. Philippine time) and carried live on screens around the globe. Rain was forecast.