Donald Trump plans change of July 4 fireworks venue to deliver personal address from steps of Lincoln Memorial
President Donald Trump has taken interest in this year's plan for July 4 celebrations in Washington D.C. and has notified city officials that he may make slight changes in the annual celebrations with a personal address.
According to The Washington Post, Trump is planning to move the traditional fireworks display from the Capitol Reflecting Pool to nearby West Potomac Park, so that he can deliver an address from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the Fourth of July.
According to administration officials, it is unclear how much the changes may cost, but the potential changes have already raised alarms among city officials and some lawmakers about the potential impact, considering the fireworks are part of a tradition that has been honored for more than half a century.
The administration also claims that moving the fireworks display will allow more visitors to attend the celebrations.
In early 2018, the administration planned a military parade for Veterans Day that was to include tanks rolling through the nation's capital. The event was eventually postponed, then canceled due to its high costs.
The cancellation of the event led to a spat between the president and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, whose office has been informed of Trump's proposed changes to this year's Fourth of July celebration, according to the Post.
An official with the Bowser administration said that the city would have to reexamine logistics for the celebration once the White House's plans were finalized.
In addition to a possible address by Trump, the new event which is to be called "A Salute to America", may also feature a second stage of entertainment apart from the performers at the Capitol, according to administration officials.
In February, Trump had announced on Twitter that Americans should "HOLD THE DATE!" on July 4 for a "Major fireworks display, entertainment and an address by your favorite President, me!"
The move was criticized by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, which oversees the Interior Department which is reportedly tasked with this year's celebrations.
"It’s not about any one president. It’s about how our nation came to be, because of a hardy band of brave men and women," McCollum said. "It’s not about any one person, it’s about ‘We, the people.’ And if the president moves to make this about him, I think he will find the America public disappointed and angered by it," she added.