Trump: 'Americans Will Be Captains of Their Own Destiny Again'
President-elect Donald Trump returned to his campaign roots Thursday in his first major public appearance since Election Day. His first stop was in Indiana at the Carrier plant where he helped save 1,100 jobs.
Trump then traveled to the Buckeye State to begin his official "Thank You Tour."
"I love you, Ohio. This is a great place," Trump told the crowds.
The incoming president spoke to thousands of his adoring fans in the key swing state where he made the surprise announcement about a new choice for his cabinet: retired Marine Gen. James Mattis.
"We are going to appoint 'Mad Dog' Mattis as our secretary of defense. They say he's the closest thing to General George Patton that we have and it's about time, it's about time," Trump proclaimed.
Mattis would require a special waiver from Congress since a federal law requires a seven-year waiting period between retiring from the military and becoming secretary of defense. The law was put in place to preserve civilian control of the military.
Trump also mapped out a broad agenda on the economy, repealing Obamacare, and national unity.
"We denounce all the hatred. We have to come together; we have no choice," stated Trump.
"I'm working to assemble a detailed action plan for America. My plan begins with a bold structural reform to create millions of new jobs and rapidly expand our economic growth," Trump explained.
He also laid out his plans on immigration and changing American policies about who comes into the U.S.
"We will construct a great wall at the border," Trump reiterated his campaign promise. "People are pouring in from regions of the Middle East. We have no idea who they are, where they come from, what they're thinking."
Meanwhile, Trump's transition team is considering including a few democrats for his cabinet. Senator Joe Manchin, D- WV, could be tapped for the job of energy secretary. Politico reports the conservative democrat is being considered to show the coal people how serious Trump is about the coal industry.
Another senator, Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., is set to make a trip to Trump Towers Friday. She could also be considered for secretary of energy or interior.
The president-elect ended his speech in Cincinnati by appealing to everyone in the country to take part in helping to make America great again.
"We have many challenges, but this is truly an exciting time to be alive. There's been no time like it . The script is not yet written. We know not yet know what the next page will read, but I'll tell you it's going to be a great page," said Trump.
"But for the first time in a long time, what we do know is that the pages will be authored by each one of you. Each one of you. Americans will be the captains of their own destiny once again," he concluded.
