President Trump lauded America’s storied history on Saturday night in a speech marking the 250th anniversary of its independence, while also praising his war in Iran, railing against “communists,” and vowing to restrict mail-in ballots.
News
Trump took to the stage at the National Mall around 11:15 p.m., after stormy weather forced evacuations and delays.
“For two and a half centuries our American Republic has stood as the crowning achievement of human history,” Trump said. “And we’re doing better now than we’ve ever done before.”
Trump went into the country’s history, praising the founding fathers and the Constitution, and brought out several antique U.S. flags, including one which he said had been draped over Abraham Lincoln’s coffin. Several veterans appeared on stage and Trump thanked them for their service.
Details
He also referred to his own use of America’s military might, saying the U.S. had “sunk Iran’s entire navy,” since the war began in February.
He then used the occasion to warn against communism, which he likened to cancer that must be cut out. He also alluded to voting reforms, vowing to pass the SAVE America Act, which is stalled in Congress and would require proof of citizenship and ID to vote and bar most mail-in ballots.
After his roughly half an hour speech, a massive fireworks display — billed by the White House as the largest in the country’s history — lit up the sky, with the pyrotechnics at times competing with lightning.
Analysis
Trump and the first lady watched the display together as music including his trademark song YMCA played, and thousands of people packed into the Mall looked on.
There had been some doubt the festivities could go ahead at all after federal and local officials told attendees earlier on Saturday night to evacuate and seek shelter in nearby federal buildings and museums due to “a severe thunderstorm.”
But Trump said he was willing to wait out the bad weather.
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