President Donald Trump marked the 250th anniversary of the United States on Saturday with a campaign-style speech on the National Mall in Washington, repeating calls for new voting restrictions and warning that 'communists' could gain ground in the country. After a storm-related delay of nearly two hours, Trump lauded American achievements such as war victories, the lunar landing, and the Wright brothers' pioneering flight, but also urged Congress to pass stalled legislation that would limit mail ballots and require proof of citizenship to register to vote.
Warnings of Communism and Threats
Trump cautioned against a rise of communism in the United States, saying, 'We like to stop a threat like that immediately and before it begins. It's like a cancer – you've got to cut it out and you got to cut it out fast.' He also said he had 'wiped out' Iran's military, though he did not explicitly refer to left-wing Democratic candidates as 'communists' as he has in the past.
Blurring the Line Between Official Commemoration and Campaign Politics
Trump has blurred the line between official commemoration and campaign-style politics. Aside from a similar address in 2019, no US president has delivered a July 4 speech on the Mall since 1951. Visitors had waited hours to get into the event, contending with stepped-up security and temperatures that reached 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius). The record-breaking heat wave forced the cancellation of several parades and other events in the area.
Storm Delays and Evacuations
Authorities ordered an evacuation when a line of thunderstorms approached, forcing spectators to shelter in nearby museums and government buildings before they were allowed to return. Trump had said this week he would 'make a really long speech' but it lasted less than 40 minutes, far shorter than many of his past speeches.
White Nationalist Presence
Other visitors included the white nationalist organization Patriot Front, which marched through the capital earlier in the day and rode on Metro trains. Police said they had not received any reports of violence.
Freedom 250 and the Great American State Fair
The Trump administration's Freedom 250 group has largely sidelined a nonpartisan body set up in 2016 to handle the 250th anniversary and has fenced off much of the 1.5-mile (2.4-km) Mall for a 'Great American State Fair' featuring attractions such as a Ferris wheel alongside displays by conservative groups and defense contractors. Freedom 250 says the fair aims to showcase the people and innovations that make the US 'the greatest nation on Earth.' Several Democratic-led states declined to send delegations, and many performers scheduled to appear dropped out, citing concerns about partisanship.
Economic Impact and Other Activities
Gift shops and restaurants at the Smithsonian Institution museums near the event reported near-record sales on Friday, said Frank DiGiovine, a Smithsonian executive. Other activities with Freedom 250 branding include a faith rally featuring mostly conservative Christian speakers, and multiple sports events, including a card of mixed martial arts bouts on the White House grounds for Trump's 80th birthday on June 14. An IndyCar race in Washington is scheduled for August.
Criticism and Polling
The Freedom 250 organization also sponsored 'Freedom trucks' that critics say paint an overly religious version of American history and gloss over issues such as slavery and racial injustice. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that a majority of Americans, including three-quarters of Democrats and half of Republicans, think the events celebrating the country's 250th anniversary have grown too political.
Renovations and Challenges
Trump has sought to remake wide swaths of the capital city ahead of the 250th celebration, with mixed results. Many fountains and statues have been renovated, but problems have beset a much-touted $15 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial's Reflecting Pool. Security cameras and soldiers now stand watch over its peeling paint and algae-fouled waters.
