A trio of top House Democrats called on President Trump to cancel a planned speech at the Lincoln Memorial during the national Fourth of July celebration on the National Mall, saying it would inject partisanship into a traditionally apolitical event.
In a Thursday letter to Trump, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Appropriations subcommittee on interior and environment Chairwoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) warned Trump’s plan to deliver a speech “could create the appearance of a televised, partisan campaign rally on the Mall at public expense.”
{mosads}They further cautioned a speech by the president during an annual event that already involves “substantial” logistics, security and cost to the federal government would impose further complications. The Democrats suggested Trump schedule a speech on another day or at another venue.
“Rather than spending millions of taxpayer dollars on what could appear to be a campaign rally, those funds would be far better spent addressing the Department’s maintenance backlog,” the lawmakers wrote, referencing the Department of the Interior.
“We respectfully call on you to look for ways to complement, not conflict with, the Fourth of the July celebration, such as considering an earlier time or alternative location for your remarks.”
The Democrats’ letter comes in response to a report by The Washington Post on Wednesday confirming Trump plans to address the nation from the Lincoln Memorial during the Fourth of July celebration.
The Trump administration plans to move the annual fireworks display from its usual location on the National Mall to West Potomac Park, according to The Washington Post.
An estimate of the cost of Trump delivering a speech at the Fourth of July celebration has yet to be made public.
Trump had previously floated the idea, but it had not been confirmed by D.C. officials and the Park Police until this week.
In February, Trump tweeted that his administration would “be having one of the biggest gatherings in the history of Washington, D.C.” on the annual holiday.
“HOLD THE DATE!” Trump previously tweeted. “It will be called ‘A Salute To America’ and will be held at the Lincoln Memorial. Major fireworks display, entertainment and an address by your favorite President, me!”