President Donald Trump plans to hijack the traditional 4th of July celebration at the National Mall and transform it into a Trump-influenced event, according to a report from The Washington Post.
The event “A Salute to America,” will break the tradition of having a "nonpartisan celebration" and might serve more as "Trump campaign rally."
"President Trump has effectively taken charge of the nation’s premier Fourth of July celebration in Washington, moving the gargantuan fireworks display from its usual spot on the Mall to be closer to the Potomac River and making tentative plans to address the nation from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, according to top administration officials," the report said.
It went onto to detail Trump's failed attempts in the past to have a celebratory event centered around him.
This includes "failed efforts to mount a military parade modeled on the Bastille Day celebration in France. The new event has become a top priority for new Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, who Trump tasked with the job three months ago, officials said," the report explained.
"The president has shown interest in the event that he often does not exhibit for other administration priorities," an aide said.
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) warned against Trump making the 4th of July all about him.
"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. 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," McCollum said.
Trump has had his eyes set on this event for a couple of months, and tweeted about it in February.
Read the full report here.