Phoenix: President-elect Donald Trump pledged on Sunday to take swift action on transgender issues, LGBTQ rights, and other policy matters as he prepares to assume office. Speaking at the AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump outlined his vision for his second term, promising bold measures and sweeping changes.  

"Ending transgender lunacy"  

In his address to young conservatives, Trump vowed to "stop the transgender lunacy" immediately after taking office.

"I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military, and out of our elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools," he stated.  

He further declared, "It will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female," and reiterated his commitment to "keep men out of women’s sports."  

The president-elect’s remarks align with broader Republican efforts to curtail LGBTQ rights in recent years, with contentious debates surrounding gender-affirming care, school policies, and inclusion in sports.  

Focus on immigration and drug cartels  

Trump also renewed his hardline stance on immigration, pledging "the largest deportation operation in American history" upon taking office. He announced plans to "immediately designate the (drug) cartels as foreign terrorist organizations."  

"This criminal network operating on American soil will be dismantled, deported, and destroyed," he told the crowd, adding that his administration would prioritise action against "migrant crime."  

Trump’s previous efforts to classify Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organisations in 2019 were halted after pleas from Mexico’s then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.  

Promises of oeace and prosperity 

Reflecting on the Biden administration, Trump painted a grim picture of the past four years.

"On January 20, the United States will turn the page forever on four long, horrible years of failure, incompetence, national decline, and we will inaugurate a new era of peace, prosperity, and national greatness," he said.  

Trump promised an ambitious foreign policy agenda, including ending the war in Ukraine, resolving Middle Eastern conflicts, and preventing "World War III." However, he did not elaborate on how these goals would be achieved.  

Panama Canal tensions 

The president-elect also targeted Panamanian authorities over what he called "ridiculous" fees for the Panama Canal, a vital trade route. He criticised Panama’s management of the canal, saying, "If the principles behind the 1970s treaty that gave Panama full control of the canal are not followed, then we will demand that it be returned to the United States in full, quickly, and without question."  

Trump concluded his speech with a hopeful vision for his presidency, declaring, "The golden age of America is upon us."