President Donald Trump’s celebration for America’s 250th anniversary will culminate Saturday with a record-breaking fireworks show on the National Mall amid scorching temperatures and controversy over his efforts to put himself at the center of the commemoration.
Event Details
Trump has teased lengthy remarks as part of the ‘Salute to America’ event despite a dangerous heat wave’s potential to impact audiences. The high-profile remarks come as another piece of Trump’s 250th programming, the ‘Great American State Fair,’ contends with modest crowds and logistical setbacks.
Freedom 250, a Trump-backed nonprofit, has advised guests to arrive at the national park grounds no more than one hour before doors open at 5 p.m. ET to account for the heat. The event will feature performances from musical performances and a slew of military flyovers.
Security and Preparations
Washington, DC, has activated an extreme heat alert through July 5, as Saturday is expected to mark the hottest July Fourth that DC has ever recorded, boasting a current forecast of 101 degrees. The heat has throttled preparations, with the US Capitol Police restricting attendance for a July 2 rehearsal event ahead of the annual ‘A Capitol Fourth Concert’ due to the excessive heat.
Freedom 250 is offering complimentary water refills and misting stations scattered across the site as attendees battle high temps. Attendees are prohibited from bringing backpacks, coolers, folding chairs, drones, firearms, or aerosols, but food and beverages will be available for purchase, and handheld fans are allowed inside the perimeter.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
