Dems Decry Trump's Patriotism as WH Announces 4th of July Celebration
President Donald Trump is moving ahead with a “Salute to America” celebration this year on the Fourth of July, despite concerns from some Democratic lawmakers about the crowds the event could generate during the coronavirus pandemic.
Washington has held an Independence Day celebration for decades, featuring a parade along Constitution Avenue, a concert on the Capitol lawn with music by the National Symphony Orchestra and fireworks beginning at dusk near the Washington Monument.
Trump altered the lineup last year by adding a speech, moving the fireworks closer to the Lincoln Memorial and summoning an array of tanks and planes to entertain the crowds.
The White House said that the president and First Lady Melania Trump will host the event this year from the White House’s South Lawn and the Ellipse.
It said the president will deliver remarks and that the ceremony will include music, military demonstrations and flyovers. Last year, Trump spoke near the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
“As President Trump has said, there will be an Independence Day celebration this year and it will have a different look than 2019 to ensure the health and safety of those attending,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said.
“The American people have shown tremendous courage and spirit in the fight against this global pandemic just as our forefathers did in the fight to secure our independence, and both deserve celebration on America’s birthday this year.”
Democratic lawmakers have stated their opposition to such an event.
“Given the current COVID-19 crisis, we believe such an event would needlessly risk the health and safety of thousands of Americans. Further, this event would come at the cost of millions of taxpayer dollars while we are facing an unprecedented economic downturn due to the pandemic,” the lawmakers said in a May 26 letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt.
One of the lawmakers who signed the letter, Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia, said after Friday’s announcement from the White House that the president should call off the festivities.
“Instead he is using the military to stage yet another costly political photo op,” Beyer asserted.
The crowds on the National Mall are expected to be smaller, in part because one of the biggest draws of the day, the annual parade, has been cancelled. The parade is co-hosted by the National Park Service.
The annual fireworks show will go on.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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