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Storms Menace Washington Ahead of Trump Speech

July 4, 2026 · 11:06 pm ET · Leave a Comment

“Federal officials ordered thousands of people to evacuate the National Mall in Washington on Saturday night ahead of a presidential speech and fireworks display to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. Crowds were told to seek shelter as a line of severe storms approached the city,” the New York Times reports.

“Park Police and other law enforcement officers started urging people to leave at about 7 p.m., just as the festivities were expected to start. Many attendees had stood in hourlong security lines in blistering heat, waiting to go through Secret Service metal detectors to get to the mall. And many of them refused to leave.”

Wall Street Journal: “Trump, in a social-media post, said he planned to make his remarks once the weather improves. But he warned that he may not begin his speech until late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.”

The Guardian: Evacuation disrupts Trump’s planned DC speech after threat of thunderstorm.

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Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

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