Washington • After a combative start to his presidency, Donald Trump delivered a more unifying message Sunday and sought to reassure Americans he was up to the daunting task ahead, as he turned to the business of government.
Speaking in the White House East Room during a swearing-in ceremony for top aides, the president warned his staff of challenges but declared he believed they were ready.
"But with the faith in each other and the faith in God, we will get the job done," the president said. "We will prove worthy of this moment in history. And I think it may very well be a great moment in history."
Trump's reassurance came after a day marked by global protests against his presidency and his own complaints about media coverage of his inauguration. He said his staff was in the White House not to "help ourselves" but to "devote ourselves to the national good."
Trump held up the letter left to him by Barack Obama — a White House tradition. "It was really very nice of him to do that," Trump said. "We will cherish that." He said the contents will remain private.
Earlier Sunday, Trump offered a scattershot response to the sweeping post-inauguration protests a day earlier, sarcastically denigrating the public opposition, then defending demonstrators' rights a short time later.
"Watched protests yesterday but was under the impression that we just had an election! Why didn't these people vote? Celebs hurt cause badly," Trump tweeted early Sunday morning. Ninety-five minutes later, he struck a more conciliatory tone. "Peaceful protests are a hallmark of our democracy. Even if I don't always agree, I recognize the rights of people to express their views," the president tweeted, still using his personal account.
The dueling tweets marked his administration's first response to the more than 1 million people who rallied at women's marches in Washington and cities across the world.
The Washington rally appeared to attract more people than attended Trump's inauguration Friday. Regional transportation officials tweeted Sunday that 1,001,616 trips were taken on the rail system Saturday. Metro spokesman Dan Stessel had said that Friday, the day of Trump's inauguration, just over 570,000 trips were taken on the rail system.
On Sunday, Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accepted an invitation to visit the White House in early February. The prime minister is hoping to forge a "common vision" with the newly inaugurated president, which could include expanded settlement construction and a tougher policy toward Iran.
Trump also announced that he's set up meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto.
"We're going to start some negotiations having to do with NAFTA," he said, along with immigration and security at the border.
Trump plans to meet Monday with a bipartisan group of congressional leaders to discuss his agenda.
Later in the week, he'll address congressional Republicans at their retreat in Philadelphia and meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May.
Trump, whose 12th wedding anniversary was Sunday, also attended a reception for law enforcement officers and first responders who helped with his inauguration.
Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway gets ready to go on television outside the White House, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
President Donald Trump, center, accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence, right, arrives for a White House senior staff swearing in ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
President Donald Trump, left, congratulates White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, second from right, and other White House senior staff during a swearing in ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
