Hold on to your hat! 4th of July excitement!
From USA Today:
Today [Wednesday, 06/19/19] the Trump administration announced plans for a unique July Fourth celebration – a made-for-TV event starring President Donald J. Trump.
Trump will deliver a speech from the Lincoln Memorial as part of a daylong series of events that includes a military-themed parade near the National Mall and flyovers featuring planes used for Air Force One, officials said.
“There is no more appropriate place to celebrate the anniversary of American independence than among the Nation’s monuments on the National Mall and the memorials to the service men and women who have defended the United States for the past 243 years,” Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said in a statement.
Trump's address at the Lincoln Memorial, to be delivered at a "Salute to America" event at 6:30 p.m. on Independence Day, is designed "to honor America’s armed forces," the Interior Department said.
The president, who pushed for new July Fourth events based on a military parade he saw in France, promoted the new holiday approach during his speech Tuesday announcing his re-election bid. He urged supporters in Orlando, Florida, to bring flags to the event.
Critics of the idea say it would turn a popular holiday tradition into a political rally. They question how the Trump-inspired events will affect traditional Fourth of July programs such as the annual concert on Capitol Hill featuring various entertainers and the National Symphony orchestra.
"Our founders were ready to give their lives for this country and that's what we celebrate on the Fourth of July," Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson said. "Donald Trump wants to basically cancel the nonpartisan celebration of America and force us to celebrate him, instead."
The administration listed the traditional "Capitol Fourth Concert" on the west lawn of the Capitol as one of the holiday events. It is now joined by others that include:
1) a "National Independence Day parade" to run 10 blocks along Constitution Avenue, which parallels the National Mall. It will feature marching bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military units, giant balloons, equestrian, and drill teams.
2) a "Salute to America" at the Lincoln Memorial in which Trump " leads a celebration of America’s military with music, military demonstrations and flyovers," according to the Interior Department.
3) the traditional fireworks display, the launch for which has been moved to West Potomac Park and behind the Lincoln Memorial.
Trump has tweeted: "HOLD THE DATE! We will be having one of the biggest gatherings in the history of Washington, D.C., on July 4th. It will be called 'A Salute To America' and will be held at the Lincoln Memorial. Major fireworks display, entertainment and an address by your favorite President, me!"