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Live updates: US celebrates 250 years despite heat dome; Trump set for ‘long’ speech

18 hours agoCenter

An excessive heat dome is threatening Fourth of July festivities in the nation’s capital and beyond — forcing cancellations, delays and other changes to holiday schedules as millions of Americans head outdoors to celebrate the U.S.’s 250th birthday. Washington, D.C., canceled its annual parade late Friday and pushed back the opening of the “Great American…

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Crowds Evacuated as Storms Menace Washington Ahead of Trump Speech

NYT > U.S. > Politics

1 hour ago

Crowds Evacuated as Storms Menace Washington Ahead of Trump Speech

Thousands of people stood in security lines for hours in severe heat to reach the National Mall, only to be ordered to leave as events were set to start. Some refused.

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In Fourth of July Speech, Trump Celebrates America and Derides Foes

NYT > U.S. > Politics

1 hour ago

In Fourth of July Speech, Trump Celebrates America and Derides Foes

A centerpiece address for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration devoted time to American history, but had all the hallmarks of a Trump rally.

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Trump uses America’s 250 speech to honor military heroes and also push political agendas

NBC News Politics

1 hour ago

Trump uses America’s 250 speech to honor military heroes and also push political agendas

President Trump concluded the semiquincentennial celebration by reflecting on the nation's history, honoring veterans and pushing his political agenda during his address at the Salute to America event. NBC News’ Ryan Nobles reports on key points from the president's speech.

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US marks its 250th birthday with fireworks, flyovers and extreme weather

BBC News

2 hours ago

US marks its 250th birthday with fireworks, flyovers and extreme weather

US President Donald Trump's speech included some of his political agenda but also honoured war veterans and American history.

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Trump: 'We don't want Communists in our country'

NBC News Politics

2 hours ago

Trump: 'We don't want Communists in our country'

During his speech at the Salute to America 250, President Trump said "we don't want Communists in our country."

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Trump's God, guns and anticommunist Fourth of July

Axios

2 hours ago

Trump's God, guns and anticommunist Fourth of July

President Trump championed American military might, a Christian U.S. and his top legislative goal in a delayed Fourth of July speech from the National Mall, wrapping just minutes before the calendar switched to Sunday morning.The big picture: The speech caps a holiday interrupted by weather-related holdups and months of semiquincentennial commemorations — many of which centered on the president and his vision of the nation at 250 years old.Driving the news: Throughout the speech, Trump nodded to a modern-day battle against communism, a frequent element of his midterm messaging."We don't want communists in our country," he said. "Never worked, and it never will work."Trump later added, "Communism is a loser, and it always will be."Zoom out: The president's language was also markedly religious — in line with the tone from the White House and its allies that has steered America's 250th birthday toward prayer and divine guidance, Axios' Russell Contreras reports."All over the world, they try and be like us, nobody can be like us, and with God's help, we will always be this, or even better," he said."As our Declaration of Independence tells us, we are all made in the image of one almighty God, and a communist will never say that, that's for sure," he added.Several military veterans and the Artemis II crew joined the stage to cheers as the president touted America's history of military achievements, sacrifice and innovation.But he also diverted to push for passage of the SAVE America Act voter ID bill, a fixation of the president's that has become a source of friction for his congressional allies."There will be no mail-in ballots, except for illness, disability, military deployment, or travel, and you won't have cheating on the elections anymore," said the president, who often circulates unfounded claims of mass election fraud.Catch up quick: Trump took the stage after storms forced throngs of event-goers to evacuate, seek temporary shelter, and then be re-screened through security checkpoints when gates reopened.The timing of the celebration's finale fireworks was already in flux, with Trump pledging he'd give a "really long speech" despite the heat wave bringing triple-digit temperatures to D.C.Go deeper: Trump declares D.C.'s July 4 celebration a "TRUMP RALLY"

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Watch the full Salute to America 250 fireworks show from Washington, D.C.

NBC News Politics

2 hours ago

Watch the full Salute to America 250 fireworks show from Washington, D.C.

A massive, nearly 40-minute fireworks display celebrated America’s 250th anniversary from Washington, D.C., during the Salute to America 250 on the National Mall. The event had been delayed for hours due to severe weather.

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Trump touts SAVE America Act during Salute to America 250 speech

NBC News Politics

2 hours ago

Trump touts SAVE America Act during Salute to America 250 speech

President Trump highlighted the potential approval of the SAVE America Act during his Salute to America 250 speech, stating his goal to require photo identification to vote and limit the use of mail-in ballots.

Center Left

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Live updates: US celebrates 250 years despite heat dome; Trump set for ‘long’ speech

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Live updates: US celebrates 250 years despite heat dome; Trump set for ‘long’ speech

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