Flurry of pardons expected from Trump on his last day as US President

JANUARY 19, 2021

(See translation in Arabic section)

US President Donald Trump has delivered his farewell address to the American people, highlighting his administration's achievements and promising his political movement will continue.

“As I prepare to hand power over to a new administration at noon on Wednesday, I want you to know that the movement we started is only just beginning. There’s never been anything like it,” Mr Trump said in the speech, which was posted online at 4pm eastern time.

“The belief that a nation must serve its citizens will not dwindle, but instead only grow stronger by the day. As long as the American people hold in their hearts deep and devoted love of country, then there is nothing that this nation cannot achieve.

“Our communities will flourish, our people will be prosperous, our traditions will be cherished, our faith will be strong, and our future will be brighter than ever before.

“I go from this majestic place with a loyal and joyful heart, an optimistic spirit, and a supreme confidence that for our country, and for our children, the best is yet to come. Thank you and farewell, God bless you, God bless the United States of America.”

Among the achievements Mr Trump mentioned, he expressed particular pride in the fact that he did not start any new wars.

The speech included no mention of president-elect Joe Biden. The closest Mr Trump came was to refer to the “new administration”.

The White House is expected to announce as many as 100 pardons and commutations before the end of the day.

No change on Jerusalem, says new US government                             

President-elect Joe Biden will not reverse Donald Trump’s landmark recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital but will seek a state for the Palestinians, Antony Blinken, his nominee for secretary of state, said Tuesday.

Asked at his confirmation hearing by Senator Ted Cruz if the United States will continue its stance on Jerusalem and maintain its embassy, Blinken said without hesitation, “Yes and yes.”

Mr Trump in 2017 bucked international consensus and recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, despite Palestinians’ claims to the holy city as part of their campaign for a separate state.

Biden’s tribute to virus victims

US President-elect Joe Biden held a sombre night ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool in Washington DC to honour the 400,000 Americans who have died from the virus.

He reportedly wiped away tears in an emotional farewell to his home state of Delaware before heading to Washington on the eve of his inauguration.

“It’s deeply personal that our journey to Washington starts here,” Biden said after rubbing one of his eyes while addressing dozens of guests at a National Guard base named in honor of his late son Beau.

“I only have one regret, that he’s not here,” Biden said, referring to Beau, who died of cancer in 2015.

“Because we should be introducing him as president.”

The 78-year-old Democrat also addressed his own mortality — an unusual direction given he is about to take the helm of the most powerful nation in the world.

“Excuse the emotion,” Biden said, pausing on his words as he composed himself.

“But when I die, Delaware will be written on my heart.”

Biden mentioned the history-making nature of the election, and how Kamala Harris, a black woman of South Asian descent, will be inaugurated as vice president 12 years after Biden took office as VP to Barack Obama, the nation’s first black president.”