Good afternoon, everyone. I just got back from spending some time with family to make sure I could bring you an update this afternoon. I’ll be watching the president’s speech tonight so you don’t have to, and I’ll have another update afterward.
Today is supposed to be a celebration of America, but we’ve seen deeply disturbing scenes out of Washington. White nationalists marched through our nation’s capital while some MAGA supporters claimed they were federal agents, and there has been no condemnation. At the same time, extreme heat has overwhelmed the city. The America 250 celebrations and the Great American State Fair have struggled as seat temperatures reached 160 degrees and attendees fainted from the heat.
I’ve spent the day reporting on what’s happening in my city, and I’ve faced a wave of attacks from people who don’t want the world to see what happened in Washington today.
Many of you have sent me screenshots of those attacks in my DMs. I want you to know that I’m not going anywhere.
Here’s the news:
White Nationalists March on Washington:
Hundreds of masked members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front marched through Washington, D.C., on the Fourth of July, carrying Confederate flags, Patriot Front banners, and modified American flags while chanting "Reclaim America." Reuters reported seeing hundreds of members traveling together on Metro trains before they marched near the U.S. Capitol. The group, which formed after the 2017 Charlottesville rally, promotes a platform rejecting democracy and calling for a "hard reset" to return the country to what it describes as the traditions of European settlers. The march took place as the nation's capital hosted events marking America's 250th anniversary.
This image is from today. A Black woman sits on the DC metro as masked white nationalists prepare to march on our nation's capital. This is America’s 250th anniversary. REUTERS/Cheney Orr.
A Getty Images photograph shows members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front riding the Washington Metro in Washington, D.C., on the Fourth of July before participating in a march through the capital.
MAGA Republicans spent the day claiming that the white nationalists are federal agents. That would mean that, if true, Trump’s FBI is chanting white nationalist and racist rhetoric across DC.
America 250 Issues:
Washington, D.C., has officially recorded its hottest Fourth of July in more than 150 years of recordkeeping, with temperatures reaching at least 101 degrees. The National Weather Service has also issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m., warning that scattered storms with damaging winds could develop this evening. The dangerous heat follows a day of extreme conditions across the capital, where cooling stations and misting tents have been set up for thousands attending America 250 events. Forecasters are urging people to stay hydrated, seek shelter during storms, and avoid prolonged time outdoors.
Donald Trump is marking America’s 250th anniversary with a campaign-style rally on the National Mall, featuring military flyovers and a record-breaking fireworks display, in a celebration that has drawn criticism for becoming increasingly political. Security has been heightened as the white nationalist group Patriot Front announced its presence in Washington and was seen traveling through the city. The Trump administration’s Freedom 250 organization has largely replaced the bipartisan commission originally created to oversee the anniversary, with several Democratic-led states and performers declining to participate over concerns about partisanship. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that a majority of Americans, including most Democrats and about half of Republicans, believe the 250th anniversary celebrations have become too political.
Pyrotecnico, a fifth-generation family-owned fireworks company founded by Italian immigrant Constantine Vitale, is preparing to launch what it says will be the world’s largest fireworks display for the Fourth of July in Washington, D.C. The 40-minute show will feature more than 850,000 fireworks launched from eight barges on the Potomac River and two land-based sites, using about 58,000 pounds of pyrotechnics transported from Pennsylvania. The display includes fireworks sourced from Spain, Italy, and China, each chosen for its unique style, and is designed to break a world record set in the Philippines a decade ago. The fireworks will be synchronized to a live performance by a military band playing patriotic and pop songs, including “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Sweet Caroline,” and “Party in the U.S.A.”
Dangerous heat is blanketing Washington, D.C., as thousands prepare to attend the "Salute to America 250" celebration on the National Mall. Just before gates opened, the thousands of chairs set up for attendees measured about 160 degrees under the afternoon sun, highlighting the extreme conditions. Organizers have installed cooling stations, water distribution points, and misting tents around the Washington Monument grounds to help keep visitors safe. The sweltering weather stands in sharp contrast to the nation's 1976 Bicentennial celebration, when the high temperature reached a much cooler 84 degrees. The heat is causing major problems for those in attendance:
Water bottles are piling up along the fences as thousands of people wait to enter the Great American State Fair in 102-degree heat, underscoring the dangerous conditions facing attendees at the America 250 celebration.
Mt. Olive Pickle Company has withdrawn from the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., after learning that North Carolina’s exhibit included a video briefly showing a Confederate flag. The company said it had not been aware the image would be part of the display and reaffirmed its commitment to “human dignity, opportunity, and freedom.” The controversy adds to a difficult start for the Trump-backed America 250 event, which has also faced low attendance, extreme heat that sent multiple people to the hospital, and several Democratic-led states declining to participate. The Confederate flag image was later removed from the exhibit, with organizers saying it appeared only briefly in a historical video about North Carolina’s past.
Other news:
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller claimed it was "divine providence" that Donald Trump is president during America's 250th anniversary, arguing that God intervened to bring him back to office. Miller said the events of the past decade prove Trump was meant to lead the country at this moment. The comments continue a pattern of Trump allies using religious language to elevate his presidency and quickly sparked backlash online, with critics accusing Miller of promoting a personality cult.
At a naturalization ceremony at Monticello, Judge Elizabeth K. Dillon welcomed new U.S. citizens with a message emphasizing inclusion. Acknowledging that people came to the United States for many different reasons, including opportunity, family, education, love, and freedom, she noted that some arrived by choice while others risked everything to escape oppression. She also recognized that some had lived in the country for decades while others had only recently arrived. She closed and reinforced her message with the words: "Please know, you are all welcome."
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created by President Trump through executive order in January 2025, officially reaches its planned July 4, 2026 sunset after an 18-month effort to shrink the federal government. Although DOGE claimed to have saved $215 billion by cutting contracts, grants, office space, and federal jobs, critics argue it fell far short of its original $2 trillion goal while disrupting agencies, reducing expertise, and weakening public services. Elon Musk, who led the initiative before departing in 2025, acknowledged it was only “a little bit successful,” and many of DOGE’s original staff have moved on, though some remain in government technology roles. While the formal organization is expiring, Trump administration officials say its mission of reducing government spending and bureaucracy will continue through other parts of the federal government.
Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is facing hit-and-run charges after allegedly striking a parked car in Yountville, California, on Friday. According to the Napa County Sheriff’s Office, a witness reported that the driver briefly stopped after the crash but drove away before deputies later found Pelosi’s disabled vehicle with significant front-end damage. Authorities said Pelosi admitted he had hit something but claimed he did not know what it was and continued driving until his car could no longer move. Officials found no alcohol in his system, and the case has been referred to the Napa County District Attorney for possible prosecution.
A 51-year-old man was killed and three members of his family were injured after lightning struck them while they were in the ocean at Fort Myers Beach, Florida, ahead of the Fourth of July weekend. Bystanders began CPR and used an automated external defibrillator before first responders arrived, but the man died at the scene while the other victims were hospitalized in stable condition. Authorities said the tragedy is a reminder that Florida's summer storms can develop rapidly and urged people to leave the water immediately if they hear thunder or see lightning. Local officials are continuing to monitor weather conditions as Fourth of July celebrations take place.
Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Wimbledon doubles competition after suffering a knee injury during her singles match earlier this week. She had planned to partner with Venus Williams in doubles but said her knee was not ready despite extensive treatment, including having fluid drained from the joint. In an emotional Instagram post, Williams said she was “heartbroken” to miss the chance to compete alongside her sister again and thanked fans for their support. The 44-year-old, a 13-time Wimbledon champion across singles and doubles, said her comeback to the tournament had been a gift and hinted she hopes to return to competition in the future.
See you soon.
— Aaron
