Trump to GOP lawmakers: 'Our chance to achieve great change'

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President Donald Trump today rallied fellow Republicans who control the White House and Congress for the first time in more than a decade, telling lawmakers they will be busier than they have been in decades helping him implement a broad agenda.

"Think of everything we can achieve and who we can achieve it for," Trump told GOP House and Senate lawmakers at their annual retreat. "This is our chance to achieve great and lasting change for our beloved nation."

Trump has moved swiftly since taking office last Friday to begin reshaping the government and American society. He has taken executive action to revive oil pipelines that were blocked by President Barack Obama, pull the U.S. out of a multinational trade agreement and overhaul the immigration system, among other steps.

Trump's midday remarks in Philadelphia came a day after he began overhauling the nation's immigration rules and moved to jumpstart construction of his promised U.S.-Mexico border wall. He also ordered cuts Wednesday in federal grants for "sanctuary cities," which shield some immigrants from federal law enforcement, and authorized increases in the number of border patrol agents and immigration officers.

Trump's moves on immigration caused immediate friction with Mexico, prompting President Enrique Pena Nieto to cancel a trip to Washington next week for his first meeting with the new president.