Billionaire businessman Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States in just hours (about noon EST, 1700 UTC).

On the eve of his inauguration, Trump predicted the nation would "see something that is so amazing" Friday when he is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.

Trump is promising to work hard, unify the country and "make America great for everybody."

It all begins today! I will see you at 11:00 A.M. for the swearing-in. THE MOVEMENT CONTINUES - THE WORK BEGINS! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2017

After an inaugural concert Thursday night on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Trump told a crowd of thousands that the entire world was watching what's happening in the United States.



Protests

Thursday night, anti-Trump protesters clashed with police outside the National Press Club in Washington. Inside, a pre-inauguration cocktail event called the "Deploraball" was taking place.

Protesters yelled "No Trump. No fascist USA!" as police tried to keep them away from the building's doors.

Some protesters threw objects at police. At least one fire was set in the street. Officers deployed chemical spray at the crowd.

In New York, thousands crowded into Central Park near Trump's New York office tower for an all-star protest against the incoming administration.

Speakers included Mayor Bill de Blasio, filmmaker Michael Moore, and show business superstars Robert de Niro and Cher.

They also heard actor Alec Baldwin, whose broad comic impersonation of Trump on late night TV has amused audiences, but outraged the president-elect.

Tweaking speech

Sean Spicer, who will be Trump's White House press secretary, said Thursday the president-elect was continuing to make changes in the inaugural address.

Spicer said the speech would be "very personal, his vision for America."

Trump intends to outline "the challenges we face" in the speech, Spicer added. He described the message as a philosophical statement about where Trump wants to take the national government, but not a legislative agenda.

President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump arrive at a pre-Inaugural "Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration" at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Jan. 19, 2017. President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump arrive at a pre-Inaugural "Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration" at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Jan. 19, 2017.



Executive orders



Beginning Friday afternoon and over the next few days, the spokesman said, Trump will sign executive orders "enacting an agenda of real change." The president-elect is still "working through on which areas he wants to do and [in] what order," Spicer added.

Trump could immediately overturn some of outgoing President Barack Obama's edicts by such actions.

Vice President-elect Mike Pence said he and Trump would be "ready to serve the American people on Day One."

WATCH: Pence Thanks Obama, Biden for Smooth Transition

Cabinet picks complete

With the nomination of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue to be agriculture secretary, Spicer said, Trump has filled all 21 posts in his Cabinet. He also noted that 536 officials were now positioned in government agencies throughout Washington to join in the transition of power when the full government resumes business Monday.

Spicer said 50 officials who handled behind-the-scenes work in the U.S. government for Obama had agreed to stay on in the new administration.

Trump President-elect Donald Trump, accompanied by Vice President-elect Mike Pence places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Jan. 19, 2017, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. President-elect Donald Trump, accompanied by Vice President-elect Mike Pence places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Jan. 19, 2017, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.



Wreath laying ceremony



Also Thursday, accompanied by Pence, Trump laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, where more than 400,000 military veterans and family members are buried.

Trump spent his last night as a private citizen at Blair House, the government's residence for dignitaries, directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House.