In Fayetteville, President-elect Trump praises military
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- President-elect Donald Trump spoke for about 30 minutes Tuesday night as he brought his victory tour to Fayetteville's Crown Coliseum.
There was a lot of security but little in the way of protest, and no interruptions as had been the case quite a few times during the presidential campaign.
Trump opened his speech by speaking directly to the military communities in North Carolina, when he said that rebuilding the military, taking care of families, and veterans will be among his top priorities.
WATCH: President-elect Donald Trump's full speech in Fayetteville
And he brought the house down when he formally announced that retired Marine Gen. James "Mad Dog" Mattis is his pick for Defense Secretary.
"Under his leadership, it's such an important position," Trump said of Mattis, who joined him on the stage. "We will rebuild, military and our alliances, destroy terrorists, and enemies, and make America safe again."
Trump also told the crowd that he will cut taxes in half, repeal and replace Obamacare and stop illegal immigration. These were themes he frequently hammered on the campaign trail. As president, Trump said he will make good on those promises.
"Under the Trump Administration, we will always put the safety and security of American people first. Safety of American people," Trump vowed.
It was Trump's first visit to North Carolina, a key battleground state, since his Nov. 8 victory against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
WATCH: Retired Gen. James "Mad Dog" Mattis addresses Fayetteville crowd
Trump thanked North Carolinians for "being so incredible" and said this has been a "grass-roots movement the likes of which no one has seen before."
Trump won North Carolina with 51 percent of the vote. He received 2,339,603 votes to 2,162,074 for Clinton.
