DEMS/HOLIDAY/HOUSE OF REPS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Three senior House Democrats are urging President Donald Trump to reconsider his plans to speak at the Fourth of July celebration on the National Mall. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Natural Resources Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), who oversees the Appropriations subpanel that funds Interior, expressed fears Trump’s plans ‘could create the appearance of a televised, partisan campaign rally on the Mall at public expense’ and waste taxpayer dollars. ‘For decades, the Fourth of July on the National Mall has been non-partisan and apolitical,’ they wrote in a letter Thursday [6-6-19]. ‘We respectfully call on you to look for ways to complement, not conflict with, the Fourth of July celebration, such as considering an earlier time or alternative location for your remarks.’ Interior Secretary David Bernhardt promised a Senate Appropriations subpanel in late May he would ensure Trump’s remarks were non-partisan and would not aggrandize him, which would violate federal spending laws.”
–Anthony Adragna, “Democrats urge Trump to rethink July 4 plans,” Politico, June 6, 2019 12:26 pm