EXCLUSIVE POLITICS WSJ.1/2
Trump to Call for ‘Revolution of Common Sense’ in Inaugural Address
In his speech, excerpts of which were shared with The Wall Street Journal, the incoming president will proclaim a ‘new era of national success’
By Alex Leary Jan. 20, 2025 5:00 am ET
WASHINGTON—President-elect Donald Trump will call for a “revolution of common sense” during his inaugural address, according to prepared remarks, as he caps a historic comeback and embarks on an agenda that includes mass deportations, steep tariffs and slashing the size of the federal government.
“I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country,” Trump is expected to say, according to remarks shared with The Wall Street Journal.
“My message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization.”
While a combative Trump in his 2017 address lamented “American carnage,” his speech has been designed to be more optimistic, people familiar with the drafting say, though Trump is known to veer off script.
At the same time, the 47th president is expected to dispense with some of the lofty rhetoric of his predecessors and describe in blunt terms what he views as the most pressing national problems and his solutions for them.
Trump is expected to sign several executive orders at the U.S. Capitol following his swearing-in, part of a flurry of day-one action.
Freezing temperatures forced the inauguration inside the Capitol, the first time since Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985. Washington is heavily barricaded, but officials weren’t expecting widespread protests, a sign of the diminished public opposition to Trump, whose comfortable victory in November has left Democrats demoralized and without a clear leader.
Trump for now enjoys mostly unified Republican support and the party narrowly controls the House and Senate, giving him a chance to pursue his ideas, which include building on the massive tax-cut package enacted in his first term and boosting American fossil fuels.
Since the election he has outlined provocative plans, including a bid to acquire Greenland, pointing to its strategically important location. He also is pledging to upend the Justice Department, which he has accused of pursuing politically motivated investigations against him and other Republicans.
During a rally Sunday, Trump promised to “act with historic speed and strength and fix every single crisis facing our country” and he exulted in his victory in what was one of the most tumultuous elections in modern times, including a near assassination in July.
Thousands of his supporters have arrived in Washington. Hotels, bars and restaurants over the weekend were packed, reflecting a more festive atmosphere than his first inauguration, when some Americans were reluctant to embrace him.
Pedicab drivers downtown were ferrying customers around while blaring Trump’s unofficial theme song, “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People.
Trump plans to issue dozens of executive orders in his first few days, with immigration, border security and energy production at the forefront, and plans to travel to states to highlight those actions, according to people involved in the planning.
He will also move to gut federal diversity programs. Trump intends to issue an executive order on Monday to reinstate TikTok, buying more time to work out a deal for the platform to shed its Chinese ownership or close in the U.S. On Friday, he is scheduled to tour fire-ravaged Los Angeles.
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