THE APEX TIMES
Moore said Maryland will deliver its Independence Day message virtually so residents can watch from home, while he urged the White House to account for weather risks ahead of the July 4 holiday events on the National Mall.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore criticized President Donald Trump’s plan to hold a July 4 rally on the National Mall as the Washington, D.C., region faces record or near-record summer temperatures ahead of the holiday.
Speaking with The Hill’s Judy Kurtz and Hillary Howard on “Happening on The Hill” on Friday, Moore said he believes federal holiday programming should not require attendees to be outdoors in extreme heat to hear a speech. “I think that we should never ask our people to sacrifice in order to hear a speech,” Moore said.
Moore said his own administration chose a different approach for Maryland’s Independence Day address. He described delivering the speech virtually from the Maryland Statehouse, while Maryland residents can view it from home, with the governor pointing to concerns about hydration and watching weather conditions. “I’m asking our people to watch from the comfort of their homes. That’s why we’re live streaming,” Moore said.
Moore added that, in his view, the White House should incorporate weather planning into event decisions. He told The Hill that residents should pay attention to what “mother nature” is indicating, and that planning should be adjusted to ensure people are safe and able to hydrate.
The Hill reported that temperatures in the nation’s capital have surged to above 100 degrees ahead of July 4, citing National Weather Service forecasts for the holiday itself. It said conditions on July 4 could reach around 102 degrees, with a chance of thunderstorms later in the day.
As the National Mall festivities near the holiday, The Hill also reported that the Great American State Fair, a 16-day event on the mall connected to America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, closed temporarily on Friday due to high temperatures, with gates expected to reopen at 5 p.m. The Hill said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser advised people attending fireworks and other outdoor events to take heat precautions and return home soon after fireworks end.
The Hill further reported that the fireworks show was postponed for late Saturday evening due to Trump’s scheduled remarks. Moore’s criticism centered on the broader question of whether a large outdoor rally at the highest temperatures of the day is consistent with protecting the public during a heat wave, even as July 4 programming continues across the region.
