President Donald Trump’s Independence Day speech has been delayed due to severe weather warnings in Washington. The event organizers ordered an evacuation on July 4 as intense storms hit the area. Despite police urging attendees to leave for safety, some were hesitant, leading to announcements for immediate evacuation on large screens. The crowd’s reactions varied, with some chanting patriotic slogans.
The event announcer instructed everyone to head to the nearest exit for shelter, with updates on the event’s resumption to be provided later. Participants were advised to seek refuge in nearby buildings. The metro system in Washington also opened underground stations for shelter. Security measures, including attendee screenings, were temporarily halted by the Secret Service.
Military flyovers and other planned celebrations were canceled due to the adverse weather conditions. Similar cancellations occurred in different cities like Hartford, Connecticut, and Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Attendees at Boston’s event were also asked to seek temporary shelter until the festivities resumed.
While some areas continued their fireworks displays, the Salute to America event’s continuation remains uncertain. Trump intended to speak despite the delay, emphasizing the importance of the country’s 250th birthday celebration. He had promised a lengthy speech as a tribute to the occasion. The exact timing for the resumption of the event was still undetermined.