President-elect Donald J. Trump delivered a boastful, campaign-style rally at a downtown Washington arena on the eve of his second inaugural, celebrating his election victory and vowing to advance his agenda in spite of what he called a “failed and corrupt political establishment” in the nation’s capital.
The speech at Capital One Arena down the street from the White House was classic Trump. In remarks laced with exaggerations and outright falsehoods, the president-elect railed about illegal immigration, bragged about the swing states he won last November, and denigrated President Biden.
“Tomorrow at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline, and we begin a brand-new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride,” the president-elect said, adding that Mr. Biden presided over “a failed administration. We’re not going to take it anymore.”
The rally was a break with the tradition for presidents, who have sought to reserve their comments for the official inauguration speech, to be delivered moments after taking the oath of office with the world watching.
In one of his most hotly anticipated actions, Mr. Trump hinted strongly that he would pardon many of the people convicted of attacking the Capitol on Jan. 6 four years ago.
President-elect Donald J. Trump addressing a crowd at the Capital One Arena in Washington on Sunday. The rally was part of a full day of events intended to underscore his remarkable return to power.Credit…Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times
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