Incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump, whose term expires on January 20, released his ‘farewell’ address.
The video was published by the White House press service.
"As I conclude my term as the 45th President of the United States, I stand before you truly proud of what we have achieved together," Trump said in a nearly 20-minute video Tuesday afternoon, in which he didn't mention President-elect Joe Biden by name even once. "We embarked on a mission to make America great again -- for all Americans," he said. "We did what we came here to do -- and so much more."
Speaking from scripted remarks directly into the camera and standing behind a lectern with the presidential seal, Trump did acknowledge a new administration would take office.
"This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous," Trump said. "We extend our best wishes and we also want them to have luck -- a very important word."
"Most of all, I want to thank the American people," Trump said. "To serve as your president has been an honour beyond description. Thank you for this extraordinary privilege… Together with millions of hardworking patriots across this land, we built the greatest political movement in the history of our country."
Trump condemned the riot at the Capitol -- for which he's facing a Senate impeachment trial for allegedly inciting -- and called on Americans to "unite around our shared values."
"All Americans were horrified by the assault on our Capitol. Political violence is an attack on everything we cherish as Americans. It can never be tolerated," he said.
Ticking through what he said were his accomplishments, many disputed, Trump claimed his administration "restored the American dream," built the "greatest economy in the history of the world," revitalized global alliances and rebuilt the U.S. military.
"I am especially proud to be the first president in decades who has started no new wars," Trump pointedly added.
Trump also warned, in his view, the greatest dangers the country faces as he leaves office "is a loss of confidence in ourselves -- a loss of confidence in our national greatness."
"Now, 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," he added at the end of his speech.
As was earlier reported by "Apostrophe", on January 20, Trump wants to pardon or mitigate the punishment of about a hundred prisoners.