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Peter Hermann
A journalist covering crime, especially the DC Police Department
President Trump plans to speak in front of the country from the Lincoln Memorial on July 4 as part of a renewed celebration of the country's Independence Day, city officials and US police said on Wednesday.
The president had previously raised the idea of speaking at the nationally televised event, but his participation had not been confirmed. The appearance of Trump will undoubtedly bring new security and logistical challenges and will transform a decades-old non-partisan celebration that annually attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the monumental core of the city.
Sgt. Eduardo Delgado, a spokesman for the US park police, confirmed that the agency had been informed that Trump was indeed planning to speak in front of the memorial. He added that the agency was working with the White House to determine the impact of the president's movements on the security surrounding this event, and that Park police were waiting for details of the secret services regarding the timing and duration of the speech.
"It's always a kind of evolving event," Delgado said.
Mayor D.C. Muriel E. Bowser (D) told the Washington Post Wednesday that she had learned from the National Parks Service that the President intended to speak at this historic event.
A spokesman for the National Parks Service declined to comment. "The White House will make a statement," said Mike Litterst, the spokesman. "We continue to work with the White House to create a program called Salute to America, bringing together Americans from across the country. [a] celebration of our great nation. "
Thousands of Americans attended the annual July 4th fireworks show on the mall on July 4, 2018. (Marvin Joseph / The Washington Post)
A White House official could not immediately confirm the president's plans.
[[[[Trump resumes July 4th celebration]
Bowser opposed Trump's efforts to resume the July 4th celebration and invest in the program, citing security and logistical concerns.
Trump, however, wants to reorganize the event into "Hi to America," the fruit of two years of attempts to stage a large patriotic demonstration centered on him and his followers.
Last month, Bowser said she hoped the president would refrain from any controversial rhetoric when he showed up in the mall on July 4th.
"The president can talk to any event he wants to talk about," Bowser said in an interview. "And my great hope would be that he recognizes that the event is a unifying event that celebrates the birthday of our country."
The new priorities of the new Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt, are among the priorities of 4 July.
The Trump administration also plans to move the fireworks from the usual location of the mall to West Potomac Park.
The event may include a second entertainment scene in addition to the standard free concert on the west lawn of the US Capitol.
Kim Dine, former Deputy Police Chief and Capitol Police Commander, said the President's changes to the celebration complicate what was choreographed well.
According to Dine, Trump's speech in the Lincoln Memorial could restrict the movement of people, depending on the weather.
The security needed to protect the president in a public place could make it difficult to move or observe speech and fireworks.
"Managing large crowds is feasible, but difficult," said Dine. "And when you have the additional challenge of VIP presence, or the presence of POTUS, and the sheer amount of security that awaits it, that adds significantly to the equation as a whole."
Trump had previously clashed with local Red Crescent officials on his plans to stage a large military parade on Pennsylvania Avenue. Last year, he dismissed this idea because of growing concern about spending and asserted without proof that city officials had inflated costs.
Presidential public appearances are still rare in Washington, DC for security reasons. No president attended a July 4th celebration on the recent memory shopping mall, usually celebrating in place of the White House.
President Ronald Reagan participated in a "Starry Salvation in America" at the Jefferson Memorial on July 3, 1987, which featured an economic announcement, but the regular celebration of the fireworks was held the following day, as was D & C. # 39; habit.
On July 4, 1951, President Harry Truman delivered a speech at the Washington Monument celebrating the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
President Abraham Lincoln delivered a late July 7, 1863 speech on July 4, 1863 in front of a White House window on the second floor of the White House, according to the National Park Service.
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