Trump Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday Amid Political Controversy And Heat Wave

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump was to address a crowd on the National Mall, the tree-lined national park in downtown Washington seen as “America’s front yard,” to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday amid political controversy and a searing heat wave.

Trump, 80, made clear that nothing would prevent him from attending the celebrations on the National Mall, which stretches about 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial.

His address was expected to precede a massive Independence Day fireworks display, the centerpiece of nationwide celebrations marking the nation’s semiquincentennial.

Millions of Americans were expected to attend parades, concerts, fireworks displays, and other Independence Day events despite warnings from weather officials about dangerous heat in many parts of the country.

TRUMP RALLIES SUPPORTERS

The appearance followed remarks Trump delivered Thursday evening at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where the 43-meter (141-foot) granite monument bears the carved likenesses of former Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

There, Trump urged Americans to defend the freedoms envisioned by the nation’s founders 250 years ago.

“We stand beneath the monument of these heroes… and we rededicate ourselves to being a nation as big, bold, noble, and as great as these American giants,” Trump said.

The president also renewed warnings about what he called a growing “communist menace” in the United States, arguing that progressive Democrats and some newcomers embraced ideas he said were incompatible with American values.

IMMIGRATION, ELECTIONS

Trump repeated his criticism of illegal immigration and vowed that “America will never be a communist country.”

He linked his message to next November’s congressional midterm elections, telling supporters Republicans could lose only if they failed to mobilize their voters.

His comments came after several progressive candidates, including self-described democratic socialists, won recent Democratic primary contests, victories Trump has cited as evidence that the Democratic Party is moving further to the political left.

Democrats have rejected that characterization, accusing Trump of employing divisive rhetoric to energize his political base ahead of the elections.

EXTREME WEATHER

The Independence Day celebrations also unfolded under dangerous weather conditions across much of the United States.

While temperatures at Mount Rushmore were a relatively cool 65 degrees Fahrenheit during Trump’s appearance there, forecasters warned that parts of the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and lower Mississippi Valley could reach 38 to 41 degrees Celsius (100 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit).

In several communities, the heat index — which combines temperature and humidity — was forecast to climb to 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher, making it feel significantly hotter than the actual air temperature.

Authorities urged Americans attending outdoor Independence Day events to drink plenty of water, seek shade whenever possible, limit strenuous activity during the hottest hours of the day, and remain alert for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

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