On eve of inauguration, Trump once again connects Colorado to immigration concerns

DENVER (KDVR) — President-elect Donald Trump held a "Victory Rally" on Sunday in Washington, D.C., where he touched on topics that included TikTok, who should be able to serve in the military and immigration impacts on U.S. crime.

In his speech, the president-elect told his supporters they would see executive orders Monday that "are going to make you extremely happy." Trump has promised hundreds of executive orders within hours of his inauguration, including promises to roll back executive actions taken by outgoing President Joe Biden.

Trump has also promised many immigration reforms and changes to the U.S. southern border with Mexico, with few details on what he intends, how he plans to enact his changes, and while sharing unfounded claims. One of those unfounded claims is that foreign governments have "emptied" prisons into the U.S.

"You look at Venezuela, they've emptied their prisons into our country, many other places the same — I would have done the same if I headed up any of countries, I know most of those guys, they're smart," Trump said Sunday. "As soon as I heard they were going to have open borders I said if you do that every prison all over the world is going to be emptied out into our country."

Trump promised justice for Americans impacted by immigrant violence, naming several well-known cases that involved immigrants, including Laken Riley.

"...And every other precious American soul that we have lost to these animals," Trump said.

Trump called for "setting the country on the proper course," and said by sunset on Monday, "the invasion of our borders will have come to a halt."

Trump also said that the crimes attributed to Venezuelan migrants are worse than American criminals.

"Remember I used to say 'These people are rough,' and they would say 'No no these are illegal immigrants, they're very safe,' I said 'They're not safe,'" Trump said Sunday. "Look at what's happened with Venezuela, where they're sending these gangs in and they're taking over apartment complexes in Colorado and then cutting off the fingers of a man who had the nerve and desire to call the police."

Denver police reported in October 2024 that two men were arrested for holding a roommate hostage and amputating one of his fingers. A widely circulated social media post suggested the suspects might be members of Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan gang. Police told FOX31 in October that officers are still investigating whether the incident was gang-related activity.