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Trump Sets Off Fireworks of a Different Sort With Fourth of July Speech Plan Trump Sets Off Fireworks of a Different Sort With Fourth of July Speech Plan
(32 minutes later)
WASHINGTON — Since early in his tenure, President Trump has sought to stage a military parade through the heart of Washington, only to be thwarted. So now he has settled on the next best thing: He will take over an existing patriotic display in the capital.WASHINGTON — Since early in his tenure, President Trump has sought to stage a military parade through the heart of Washington, only to be thwarted. So now he has settled on the next best thing: He will take over an existing patriotic display in the capital.
The Trump administration has ordered major changes in the traditional Fourth of July celebration that draws hundreds of thousands of people to the National Mall each year — with Mr. Trump personally taking a starring role as no other president has in modern times.The Trump administration has ordered major changes in the traditional Fourth of July celebration that draws hundreds of thousands of people to the National Mall each year — with Mr. Trump personally taking a starring role as no other president has in modern times.
The mayor’s office in Washington said on Wednesday that it had been informed that Mr. Trump intended to address the assembled crowd from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial this year in a speech that would presumably be televised to the nation, a move that critics said would transform what has for decades been a nonpartisan, unifying event into a political rally for a divisive president. The mayor’s office in Washington said on Wednesday that it had been informed that Mr. Trump intended to address the assembled crowd from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial; his speech would presumably be televised to the nation. Critics said the move would transform what has for decades been a nonpartisan, unifying event into a political rally for a divisive president.
“He can’t resist injecting partisan politics into the most nonpartisan sacred American holiday there is: the Fourth of July,” said Representative Gerald E. Connolly, a Democrat from suburban Virginia who represents many of those who typically attend the Independence Day events in the capital. He called it “part of a pattern of driving wedges between Americans and making himself the subject of attention.”“He can’t resist injecting partisan politics into the most nonpartisan sacred American holiday there is: the Fourth of July,” said Representative Gerald E. Connolly, a Democrat from suburban Virginia who represents many of those who typically attend the Independence Day events in the capital. He called it “part of a pattern of driving wedges between Americans and making himself the subject of attention.”
Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat and the delegate who represents the District of Columbia in the House, said she worried that the president’s presence would so politicize a family event that it could even trigger anti-Trump protests. Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat and the delegate who represents the District of Columbia in the House, said she worried that the president’s presence would so politicize a family event that it could trigger anti-Trump protests.
“People are going to be angry,” she said. “This is going to be the angriest July 4 ever. People are going to be so incensed that a political figure would take over the Fourth of July, that you will find many who believe they will have to find a political expression of their disgust.” “People are going to be angry,” she said. “This is going to be the angriest July 4 ever. People are going to be so incensed that a political figure would take over the Fourth of July that you will find many who believe they will have to find a political expression of their disgust.”
The White House declined to comment on Wednesday, but Mayor Muriel E. Bowser told The Washington Post that she had been notified of the president’s decision. An official in her office confirmed the Post report. The White House declined to comment on Wednesday, but Mayor Muriel E. Bowser of the District of Columbia told The Washington Post that she had been notified of the president’s decision. An official in her office confirmed the Post report.
Mr. Trump has been captivated by the idea of a patriotic display in the capital that he could lead since even before he was sworn in as president. His inaugural committee reportedly explored using military equipment in the traditional parade held on the day he took the oath of office, only to reject the idea.Mr. Trump has been captivated by the idea of a patriotic display in the capital that he could lead since even before he was sworn in as president. His inaugural committee reportedly explored using military equipment in the traditional parade held on the day he took the oath of office, only to reject the idea.
Undeterred, Mr. Trump became even more captivated by the notion in July 2017 when he visited Paris as the guest of President Emmanuel Macron of France for the annual Bastille Day military parade and repeatedly declared that he wanted something similar in Washington. Local and military officials managed to stymie his plans by emphasizing that it would cost tens of millions of dollars, and the president finally gave up last year. Undeterred, Mr. Trump became even more captivated by the notion in July 2017 when he visited Paris as the guest of President Emmanuel Macron for the annual Bastille Day military parade and repeatedly declared that he wanted something similar in Washington. Local and military officials managed to stymie his plans by emphasizing that it would cost tens of millions of dollars, and the president finally gave up last year.
By February, however, he came up with another way — essentially taking over the annual Fourth of July event in Washington. In a message posted on Twitter, he announced a “Salute to America” on Independence Day, featuring a “major fireworks display, entertainment and an address by your favorite President, me!”By February, however, he came up with another way — essentially taking over the annual Fourth of July event in Washington. In a message posted on Twitter, he announced a “Salute to America” on Independence Day, featuring a “major fireworks display, entertainment and an address by your favorite President, me!”
His administration decided to move the fireworks to West Potomac Park near the Potomac River from the National Mall, and it may add a second concert stand, but it was only on Wednesday that the president’s plan to make a speech himself was confirmed.His administration decided to move the fireworks to West Potomac Park near the Potomac River from the National Mall, and it may add a second concert stand, but it was only on Wednesday that the president’s plan to make a speech himself was confirmed.
The Fourth of July, marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was not made a holiday until 1870, and the federal government did not deem it an official holiday until 1938.The Fourth of July, marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was not made a holiday until 1870, and the federal government did not deem it an official holiday until 1938.
In the decades since, the celebration on the National Mall has become a popular destination for residents and tourists, who pack the space between the Capitol and the monuments, setting out blankets for picnics, throwing Frisbees and enjoying music by bands like the Beach Boys. In the decades since, the celebration on the Mall has become a popular event for residents and tourists, who pack the space between the Capitol and the monuments, setting out blankets for picnics, throwing Frisbees and enjoying music by bands like the Beach Boys.
A parade down Constitution Avenue usually includes marching bands, fife and drum corps, floats, drill teams and lots of flags. The National Symphony Orchestra traditionally plays Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” complete with cannon fire, just before the fireworks start just after 9 p.m., broadcast live across the nation since 1947. In addition to the hundreds of thousands usually gathered on the Mall, many others watch from rooftops across the region or from boats in the nearby Potomac River. A parade down Constitution Avenue usually includes marching bands, fife and drum corps, floats, drill teams and lots of flags. The National Symphony Orchestra traditionally plays Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” complete with cannon fire, just before the fireworks start around 9 p.m., broadcast live across the nation since 1947. In addition to the hundreds of thousands usually gathered on the Mall, many others watch from rooftops across the region or from boats on the nearby Potomac River.
Presidents typically have stayed away, instead leaving town or hosting invited guests in the White House or on the South Lawn, where they could watch the fireworks. An exception was President Harry S. Truman, who spoke in 1951 from the Washington Monument to mark the 175th anniversary of the country. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan made a speech on July 3 from the Jefferson Memorial to propose an economic initiative, but did not insert himself into the big celebration the next day. Presidents typically have stayed away, instead leaving town or hosting guests in the White House or on the South Lawn, where they could watch the fireworks. An exception was President Harry S. Truman, who spoke in 1951 from the Washington Monument to mark the 175th anniversary of the country. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan made a speech on July 3 from the Jefferson Memorial to propose an economic initiative, but did not insert himself into the big celebration the next day.
The event has on occasion produced political sensations. When James G. Watt, the interior secretary under Mr. Reagan, banned the Beach Boys and other rock bands in 1983, an uproar ensued. Among those who protested the decision were Nancy Reagan and Vice President George Bush. By the next year, Mr. Watt was out of office and the Beach Boys were back. The event has on occasion produced political sensations. When James G. Watt, the interior secretary under Reagan, banned the Beach Boys and other rock bands in 1983, an uproar ensued. Among those who protested the decision were Nancy Reagan and Vice President George Bush. By the next year, Mr. Watt was out of office and the Beach Boys were back.