Trump Delays 11 p.m. National Mall Speech as Storms Evacuate Thousands Before 850,000 Fireworks
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 5
Trump Delays 11 p.m. National Mall Speech as Storms Evacuate Thousands Before 850,000 Fireworks
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 5
Summary
National Mall checkpoints reopened around 10 p.m. after a storm evacuation, with Trump’s speech pushed to about 11 p.m. and fireworks scheduled immediately afterward.
Severe thunderstorms forced officials to clear thousands of spectators from the secured area more than two hours before Trump was due to appear, sending them toward Smithsonian museums and federal buildings.
The evacuation turned chaotic as some attendees refused to leave and others found designated shelter sites locked or full, after waiting in intense heat to pass security.
Trump said on social media he would deliver the address regardless of the delay, while the White House billed the follow-up show as the world’s largest pyrotechnics display—more than 850,000 fireworks over 40 minutes.