WASHINGTON — The United States is marking the 250th anniversary of its independence with celebrations across the country on Saturday, though extreme heat and competing political visions for the holiday have disrupted events in the nation’s capital and beyond. Exceptionally high temperatures and humidity forced the cancellation of Independence Day parades in Washington and Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. On Washington’s National Mall, organisers delayed the opening of public entry gates to reduce the time people spent waiting in the heat before evening events. President Donald Trump promoted the day as a “spectacular rally” and has been accused by opponents of politicising the anniversary.

The celebrations are being organised by two competing entities: America250, a nonpartisan commission established by Congress a decade ago, and Freedom 250, a separate organisation created by Trump that is run out of the White House. The president spoke at Mount Rushmore on the eve of the holiday, warning of a “communist menace” and saying American identity was “under a renewed attack.” Vice President JD Vance delivered an address aboard the USS Kearsarge in New York Harbor, reading from the Declaration of Independence.

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The Two Competing Celebrations

America250 was established by Congress to plan the Semiquincentennial. It is headed by Rosie Rios, who served in the Obama administration, and its board includes both Republicans and Democrats. It is hosting events across the country, including a concert in Los Angeles featuring Chaka Khan and Chris Stapleton, a show in New York’s Times Square with Mary J. Blige, Brad Paisley, and Ne-Yo, and a Philadelphia concert with Christina Aguilera and Will Smith.

Freedom 250 was created by Trump in December, shortly after the president fired his own appointee to lead America250. It is a subsidiary of the National Park Foundation, overseen by top White House aides, and does not answer to the bipartisan congressional panel that oversees America250. It can keep its donors anonymous. Its programming has included a UFC fight on the White House lawn, a Christianity-focused prayer event on the National Mall, and the Great American State Fair currently occupying the Mall.

Several states declined to participate in the fair, citing concerns about partisanship. A planned Freedom 250 concert lost multiple performers after artists pulled out over similar concerns. Trump replaced them as the headliner, and country singer Lee Greenwood introduced him. Congress allocated $150 million for the 250th celebrations. America250 has received $25 million. The National Park Foundation, which can distribute funds to Freedom 250, has received $65 million.

According to America250 and Freedom 250 organisational documentation and congressional funding allocations, the two groups have been competing for the authority to define the national commemoration.

As our analysis of the politicisation of America’s 250th birthday and the competing celebration structures has documented, the fracture has turned what was intended as a unifying civic moment into a display of the country’s political divisions.

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Trump’s Speech and the Marchers

Trump spoke at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota on the eve of the Fourth of July. He warned of what he called a resurgence of “the communist menace” and criticised “newcomers” whom he said embraced ideas opposed to the American way of life. Opponents accused him of using the anniversary to further his political agenda.

Vance, speaking aboard the USS Kearsarge in New York Harbor on Saturday, read from the Declaration of Independence and asked Americans to reject a “two dimensional view” of their citizens and country. “Today we celebrate 250 years of America, facing the future without fear,” he said.

In Washington, members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front descended on the capital amid the celebrations. A large group of men, many wearing white balaclavas, sunglasses, and caps bearing the group’s logo, were seen carrying US flags and marching through the streets. The group was formed after the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. Its manifesto calls for the formation of a white ethnostate, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

According to Southern Poverty Law Center designation of Patriot Front and reports on the group’s presence in Washington during Independence Day celebrations, the group was one of several reflecting a range of political views that sought to use the anniversary to promote their own ideas of American identity.

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The Heatwave

The celebrations are taking place during an extreme heatwave affecting parts of the eastern and central United States. The same weather system has already proved deadly in Europe, where France recorded 2,025 excess deaths during a June heatwave, Belgium reported 1,222, and the Netherlands recorded approximately 480.

In Washington, the intense heat and humidity led organisers to delay the opening of public entry gates to the National Mall. Parades were cancelled in both the capital and Philadelphia. Trump joked that he would deliver a “really long speech” to prove he could “do anything” during the heatwave.

King Charles III released a statement marking the anniversary, hailing the relationship between the US and the UK. “Through centuries of shared challenge and achievement, our nations have built a relationship founded on friendship, trust and a belief in liberty, the rule of law and the dignity of all people,” the King wrote. “I have no doubt we will continue to defend our shared values.”

As our coverage of the US heatwave and its impact on public events and health warnings has tracked, the extreme temperatures have added a further complication to the already fragmented celebrations.

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FAQ

Why were parades cancelled?

Extreme heat and high humidity forced the cancellation of Independence Day parades in Washington and Philadelphia. The National Mall delayed opening its public entry gates to reduce the amount of time people spent waiting in the conditions.

What is the difference between America250 and Freedom 250?

America250 was established by Congress a decade ago as a nonpartisan commission. Freedom 250 was created by President Trump in December, is run out of the White House, and does not answer to the bipartisan congressional panel. The two organisations have been competing for funding and attention.

How much federal money has been allocated?

Congress allocated $150 million for the 250th celebrations. America250 has received $25 million. The National Park Foundation, which can distribute funds to Freedom 250, has received $65 million.

What did Trump say at Mount Rushmore?

Trump warned of a “communist menace” and said American identity was “under a renewed attack.” He criticised “newcomers” who he said embraced ideas opposed to the American way of life. Opponents accused him of politicising the anniversary.

Who is performing at the celebrations?

America250 events feature Christina Aguilera and Will Smith in Philadelphia, Mary J. Blige and Ne-Yo in New York, and Chaka Khan and Chris Stapleton in Los Angeles. Freedom 250’s Washington event features CeeLo Green and Lynyrd Skynyrd after several performers pulled out.