WASHINGTON —
Billionaire Republican Donald Trump pledged to bring unity to America as he swept into Washington on the eve of his inauguration as 45th president of the United States.
On Friday, Trump will 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-in-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 in the day, Trump lunched with Republican congressional leaders and his cabinet nominees. He then was whisked to 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 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—scheduled to be administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts at 11:47 a.
