Donald Trump bows out, Joe Biden moves in

Donald Trump will leave the White House promising his supporters that the huge political movement he created would only grow stronger in the years ahead.

US President Donald Trump at an election rally last November. Picture: AFP

Donald Trump will leave the White House promising his supporters that the huge political movement he created would only grow stronger in the years ahead.

But before he left, the 45th president pardoned 73 people, including former aide Steve Bannon, and commuted the sentences of an additional 70.

Mr Bannon was granted clemency having been charged with ­fraud over funds raised to build the Mexico border wall that was a flagship Trump policy. “Mr Bannon has been an ­important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen,” a White House statement said.

Former Trump fundraiser ­Elliott Broidy was similarly pardoned, after pleading guilty last year to conspiring to violate foreign lobbying laws. Rapper Lil Wayne, who last month pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, also made the list.

The list included Trump allies, many of whom have been swept up in corruption or lying charges.

In his final address to the ­nation, delivered via video, the outgoing president portrayed himself as the people’s president, saying he had put ordinary Americans back in charge of the country rather than politicians.

“We restored self-government, we restored the idea that in America no one is forgotten, because everyone matters and everyone has a voice,’’ he said. “I did not seek the path that would get the least criticism. I took on the tough battles, the hardest fights, the most difficult choices because that’s what you elected me to do.’’

Mr Trump predicted that the populist moment that he largely created and that won him 77 million votes would grow, even when he was out of office.

“As I prepare to hand power over to a new administration, I want you to know that the movement we started is only just beginning, there’s never been anything like it,’’ he said.

Mr Trump, despite being impeached for inciting the violence at the Capitol on January 6, condemned that assault in his speech, saying political violence ‘‘can never be tolerated’’.

The outgoing president used the speech to list his achievements, including secure borders, a stronger economy before the pandemic, reduced business regulations and peace deals in the Middle East.

Mr Trump was due to be given a farewell ceremony at Andrews Air force base early Thursday (AEDT) before flying to his Mar-a-Lago ­resort in Palm Beach, Florida where he will live.

Ahead of Mr Trump’s Senate impeachment trial, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell launched a stinging attack on Mr Trump, blaming him for lying to his supporters and provoking them ahead of the Capitol riots.

“The mob was fed lies,” Senator McConnell told the Senate. “They were provoked by the president and other powerful people, and they tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch of the federal government which they did not like. But we pressed on, we stood together and said an angry mob would not get veto power over the rule of law in our nation.”

Senator McConnell’s comments are his strongest criticism yet of the president with whom he was once a close ally. They have fuelled speculation that he may vote to convict Mr Trump at his forthcoming Senate impeachment trial.

Democrats believe that if Senator McConnell abandons the president, it may lead other ­Republican to also vote to convict Mr Trump. Democrats need 17 ­Republican senators to side with them in order to make Mr Trump the first president to be convicted by a Senate trial.

Mr Trump left office with his popularity at its lowest ebb following his false claims about a rigged election and his role in inciting his supporters before the deadly ­Capitol Hill invasion.

New Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged all ­Republicans to support Mr Biden’s agenda, including plans for a $US1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. ‘‘Tomorrow the country will turn the page on the most ­chaotic and divisive presidency that can ever be remembered,” Senator Schumer said.

With agencies