D.C. officials say they remain in the dark as to the specific changes President Trump plans on making to the Fourth of July celebrations, changes that could require the city to deploy police in more places to handle security and road closures.
“The Fourth of July is going to happen on the day after the third of July, so that’s news. I promise, it’s going to happen,” joked Mayor Muriel Bowser on Monday. “The president will deliver a speech, we’re told, and I am also told that they will move the location of the fireworks. And beyond that, I don’t think we have another update.”
The lack of details on Trump’s plans is upending what city officials say is a well-coordinated annual effort with deadlines stretching months before any firework is shot off or patriotic tune played. With 30 days left to go, even the National Park Service, which takes the lead on coordinating the annual celebration and fireworks display, says it’s awaiting specific marching orders.
“Nothing is set in stone, and we’re still waiting on details from what the White House wants to do,” said Mike Litterst, a spokesman for the National Park Service.
So far, all that administration officials have hinted is that the fireworks may be moved from the National Mall to West Potomac Park, and Trump may give a speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial. There is also a possibility for a second stage for musical performances, other than the usual A Capitol Fourth concert on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
“For right now, people will see a very similar event to what they saw in years past: fireworks, the Capitol Fourth concert, a parade in the afternoon and an additional event added to the day’s schedule,” added Litterst.
That event is Trump’s hope to put his mark on the patriotic celebration, following a failed attempt to hold a French-style military parade down Pennsylvania Avenue on Veterans Day last year. But without more details on what exactly he wants for the Fourth of July, D.C. officials say they are still unsure about how existing resources like police will have to be repurposed for a possible speech and new fireworks location.
“How it’s ticketed and what roads will be closed, and where the fireworks will be, that’s an important thing to [know] because we may have other road closures,” said Bowser. “We plan on having a safe event.”
City officials say additional road closures and a Trump speech could mean more D.C. police than usual around the National Mall, but Bowser said her goal is to keep a presence in the city’s neighborhoods also — some of which are seeing a spike in violent crime.
“We’re making sure that all eight wards of the city are safe,” she said. “So you’ll see a lot of our police resources, our Fire and EMS resources, downtown, but we’re also policing and taking care of public safety issues across the city.”
Any changes to the Fourth of July celebrations are also expected to impact Metro.
This article was originally published on WAMU.
Martin Austermuhle