Trump pledges to unify US on inauguration eve

WASHINGTON — Billionaire Republican Donald Trump on Thursday (Jan 19) 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.

On Friday (Jan 20), Mr Trump will cap an extraordinary and improbable run for the White House when he takes the reins from President Barack Obama at mid-day, launching the nation into uncharted waters.

The 70-year-old leader-in-waiting travelled 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," Mr 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 in the day, Mr Trump lunched with Republican congressional leaders and his cabinet nominees. He also visited the Arlington National Cemetery, where he and Vice President-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," he said, describing the wave of support among working-class Americans who pushed Mr Trump to victory over Mrs 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!"

Mr Trump's swearing-in on the steps of the Capitol – scheduled to be administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts at 11.47am – will be carried live on Friday on screens around the globe.

While Mr Trump has confided that he sought inspiration from John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan while writing his inaugural address, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said the words will be Mr Trump's own: a personal statement that will be "more of a philosophical document" than a to-do list.

Three former presidents will be in attendance for the ceremony, along with numerous dignitaries, including his Democratic presidential rival – a former first lady and secretary of state.

Protesters have vowed to be out in force Friday, and thousands marched in New York on Thursday night, joined by A-list actors Robert de Niro and Alec Baldwin, Oscar-winning director Michael Moore and singer Cher.

But Mr Trump’s supporters were gathering in Washington to trumpet the success of their man.

"It honestly feels like we won the American Revolution again," gushed Jake, a supporter from California who did not give his last name.

"I really feel like we've taken back our culture, we've taken back our country, because we've really been under attack from a lot of the establishment on both sides of the aisle." 

Mr Trump's working-class supporters have sent him to Washington to turn the page on the Obama era and upend the political status quo.

He has vowed to act, and swiftly.

He is expected to sign four or five decrees on Friday, and then a raft of others beginning Monday (Jan 23) to dismantle every policy he can without waiting for congressional approval.

Among Mr Trump’s pledges for day one: sign orders to speed deportations of convicted criminals, begin building a wall on the US-Mexico border, and cancel billions of dollars in US funding to United Nations climate change programs.

"He (Mr Trump) is committed to not just day one, but day two, day three, of enacting an agenda of real change," Mr Spicer told reporters. AFP