Trump Unveils Plan to Celebrate 250th Anniversary of American Independence
Washington D.C. - In an effort to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday establishing a White House task force to plan what he calls a "grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion." The task force will be chaired by Trump and will include a long list of senior administration officials, including cabinet secretaries.
As part of his plans, Trump announced that he wants to create a new national sculpture garden, dubbed the "National Garden of American Heroes," which will feature statues memorializing 250 historical figures. This is eerily similar to his initial plan for what he promised would be "a new monument to the giants of our past" in 2020.
The National Garden of American Heroes was part of Trump's original plans, but it never materialized due to lack of funding and opposition fromCongress. However, with this new executive order, the garden is expected to move forward under the Trump administration.
Additionally, Trump is reviving his plan to harshly punish those who vandalize or destroy existing statues and monuments, citing recent examples in the nation's capital as motivation. In June, protesters vandalized statues and structures around the White House with graffiti, prompting Trump to call for stronger action against such acts of destruction.
The White House has also announced plans to host a year-long "Salute to America 250" celebration, which will include various festivities, including a Great American State Fair in Iowa. The celebration is expected to feature pavilions showcasing the history and innovation of each state in the Union.
Trump's announcement comes on the heels of his campaign promise to create a memorable tribute to American independence. When announcing the plan in 2020, Trump said that he wanted to honor "American heroism" by celebrating the nation's birthday with what he described as "a new monument to the giants of our past."
The move is seen by some as an attempt to shift focus away from the controversy surrounding Confederate monuments and other historical figures. However, critics have raised questions about Trump's motives, citing his history of promoting divisive rhetoric on issues related to identity politics.
As Trump's 250th anniversary celebration takes shape, concerns are being voiced by various groups and individuals across the country on what this new monument will look like, who will be represented, and how it will contribute to the broader national conversation about American identity.