Trump speech confirmed for July 4 event
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s participation in the nation’s annual Fourth of July celebration will include a speech honoring America’s armed forces, along with music, military demonstrations and flyovers, the administration announced Wednesday, about two weeks before the patriotic holiday.
Federal lawmakers, local officials and others have voiced concerns that Trump could alter the tone of what traditionally is a nonpartisan celebration of America’s founding by delivering an overtly political speech after he added himself to an event that typically has not included the president.
Independence Day usually draws tens of thousands of people to the National Mall for the celebration. Regular events this year include the National Independence Day Parade down Constitution Avenue, a concert featuring the National Symphony Orchestra on the West Lawn of the Capitol and the fireworks display.
Trump teased his event, which he is calling “Salute to America,” during his re-election kick-off rally Tuesday night in Florida.
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said Wednesday that Trump will use the speech, which the president promised in a February tweet, to honor the military.
Bernhardt, who supervises the National Mall, which is the backdrop for one of the nation’s largest July 4 celebrations, also said the World War II Memorial and areas around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will be opened to the public for the first time in recent memory for viewing the annual fireworks display.