Trump promises ‘brand new day’, harsh immigration limits at pre-inauguration rally

US President-elect Donald Trump told thousands of roaring supporters on Sunday that he would impose severe limits on immigration on his first day in office, vowing to swiftly fulfil the central promise of his presidential campaign on Sunday at a rally inside a packed Washington arena a day before he returns to power.

“By the time the sun sets tomorrow, the invasion of our country will have come to a halt,” he said to cheers at a “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” at the Capital One Arena.

Trump repeated his campaign pledge to launch the largest deportation effort in US history, which would remove millions of immigrants. An operation of that scale, however, would likely take years and be hugely costly.

The rally resembled the freewheeling campaign speeches that have been a Trump staple since his first White House run in 2016, with the former and future president delivering a mix of boasts, false claims and sweeping promises to the delight of the crowd.

“This is the greatest political movement in American history, and 75 days ago, we achieved the most epic political victory our country has ever seen,” he said. “Starting tomorrow, I will act with historic speed of strength and fix every single crisis facing our country.”