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“Here I am again,” Trump said. “The American people have spoken. In America, the impossible is what we do best. We are more ambitious than any other nation, and together, we are going to win like never before.”
National emergency and immigration crackdown
In one of his most significant announcements, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, emphasising the need to address illegal immigration and border security.
“We will send millions of criminal aliens back to where they came from,” Trump stated. “Troops will be deployed to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country.”
He committed to reinstating the “remain in Mexico” policy, which requires asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their cases are processed. Trump also announced plans to designate Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations and invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, empowering federal and state agencies to dismantle foreign gangs and criminal networks operating within the US.
“All illegal entry will be immediately halted, and the process of deporting millions of illegal aliens will begin,” he added.
Rebuilding energy independence and economic strength
Declaring a national energy emergency, Trump unveiled an ambitious energy policy focused on domestic production and energy exports. “We will drill, baby, drill,” he said, vowing to fill America’s strategic reserves to capacity and position the nation as a leading energy exporter.
Trump promised to revoke federal mandates on electric vehicles (EVs) and restore traditional automobile manufacturing in the US. “America will once again be a manufacturing powerhouse,” he said. “We will defeat record inflation, rapidly lower costs, and revitalise our economy.”
Government restructuring and justice reforms
In a bid to enhance efficiency and accountability, Trump announced the creation of the External Revenue Service and the Department of Government Efficiency. These new bodies will focus on cutting red tape, eliminating waste, and ensuring taxpayer funds are used effectively.
The president pledged to restore free speech by ending government censorship and ensuring impartial justice. “We will bring back law and order to our cities,” Trump stated. He also committed to reinstating military personnel expelled for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine, promising them full back pay.
Strengthening America’s military and foreign policy
Trump vowed to rebuild the armed forces, focusing on their primary mission of defeating America’s enemies. “We will create the strongest military the world has ever seen,” he declared. “We will end wars and ensure wars never begin. I want to be a peacemaker and unifier.”
The president proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, reflecting his administration’s vision of a reasserted American presence in global affairs. He also signalled a potential reclamation of the Panama Canal, citing Chinese influence as a treaty violation.
“Panama has violated our treaty, and China is operating there. We didn’t give the canal to China, and we are taking it back,” he said.
Gender, values, and cultural vision
Trump reaffirmed his administration’s traditional stance on gender identity, stating, “As of today, there are only two genders—male and female.” He vowed to eliminate divisive race and gender politics, asserting that his administration would focus on unity and shared American values
A renewed vision for America
Trump closed his address with an optimistic vision for the future. “America will once again consider itself a growing nation,” he said. “Our ambition knows no bounds. Together, we will shape a brighter future for our country and the world.”