July 4 live: Trump demands a voter ID law as he declares ‘America is a nation of winners’

President Donald Trump is speaking on the National Mall after severe storms forced attendees to evacuate the area. Crowds attending Washington’s Freedom 250 celebration on the National Mall were forced to evacuate and seek shelter in nearby buildings due to severe weather Saturday evening. There were chaotic scenes as crowds were pictured waiting at security checkpoints to re-enter the National Mall following the evacuation. Trump claimed about 375,000 people were evacuated, and that about 150,000 made it back for his speech. His remarks, which will be followed by a massive fireworks show, began around 11:15 p.m. local time, about an hour later than expected. “Some people, they left, and they couldn't get back. But you're very special people, and we have a very special country,” he said. Earlier Saturday, extreme heat forced organizers to cancel Washington’s Independence Day parade. Hundreds of members of the neofascist group Patriot Front also gathered in the nation’s capital this afternoon, chanting “reclaim America” as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary. Guests watch musical performances ahead of Trump's speech Guests celebrating the Fourth of July on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., listened to renditions of “Ave Maria,” “God Bless America,” and “God Bless the USA” ahead of President Donald Trump’s Fourth of July speech. A massive fireworks show will follow Trump’s speech, which the president has promised will be “really long.” Katie Hawkinson5 July 2026 04:10‘It’s a mess’: Crowds complain of chaos ahead of Trump’s speech People attempting to re-enter the National Mall after it was evacuated due to severe thunderstorms have complained that the security lines are “a mess.” Revelers are required to pass through security again, the Secret Service said, after they were evacuated early evening and took shelter in museums and federal buildings. “We’re attempting to get back to the press riser but it’s a mess,” said Taylor Popielarz, a reporter for Spectrum News, in a post on X. “They’re telling everyone — whether you have credentials or VIP passes or nothing at all — to go through the same lines.” Vaughn Hillyard, a senior White House reporter for MS Now, wrote on X that “massive blobs of people” are trying to reach the National Mall. Rhian Lubin, Katie Hawkinson5 July 2026 03:59Pictures show large crowds waiting to re-enter the National Mall Photographs showed large crowds waiting to re-enter the security checkpoints at the National Mall after being evacuated. The Secret Service said everyone would need to clear the security checkpoints again following the evacuation. Revelers had to clear security for a second time due to the evacuation (Getty) Large crowds were seen waiting in line to re-enter (Getty) People wait to re-enter the National Mall ahead of Trump’s speech (Getty) Rhian Lubin5 July 2026 03:34First lady Melania Trump spotted in the staging area with the president First lady Melania Trump was spotted in the staging area with President Donald Trump ahead of his address to the nation. The president was seen holding up his phone to the first lady before walking away to take the call. He was then seen watching Fox News. Trump and Melania ahead of the president’s address to the nation (YouTube) Trump appeared to be watching Fox News (YouTube) Rhian Lubin5 July 2026 03:27Trump is on his way to the National Mall President Donald Trump has left the White House and is on his way to the National Mall, according to the Rapid Response account. Rhian Lubin5 July 2026 03:21Secret Service says everyone must be screened again to enter National Mall Revelers will have to be screened again to enter the National Mall following the evacuation, the Secret Service announced on social media. Rhian Lubin5 July 2026 02:51Pictured: Revelers wait out the storm Revelers were pictured in Washington, D.C. waiting for the bad weather to pass. People are returning to the National Mall after President Donald Trump announced the event would open again. Crowds evacuate the National Mall (AP) Rhian Lubin5 July 2026 02:45National Mall to reopen shortly After Freedom 250 attendees were evacuated due to severe weather, organizers have announced that celebrations will resume at 9:45 p.m. local time. ”At President Donald J. Trump's direction, gates to the National Mall will reopen at 9:45 PM. The Salute to America celebration will move forward, the President will deliver remarks at 11:00 PM, and the fireworks spectacular will follow,” Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said. “Rain or shine, the American people deserve a celebration worthy of our nation's historic 250th birthday. For 250 years, Americans have overcome every challenge with grit, resilience, and determination. A little rain will never diminish our pride, our patriotism, or our celebration of the greatest nation in the history of the world,” Alvarez added. Katie Hawkinson5 July 2026 02:26Trump declares he'll wait out the storms in DC President Donald Trump declared that he’ll wait out the storms in Washington, D.C., after Freedom 250 attendees were evacuated from the National Mall due to severe weather. “Storms bring luck to whatever the occasion. They also make events a little bit more exciting! We will wait it out, I don’t care if it’s 2:00 O’Clock in the morning, or in one hour from now,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Looks like it is going to pass, they always do. I will be there no matter what, but the “what” usually turns out to be a good thing. It’s Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight,” he added. Trump is expected to give a speech on the National Mall this evening, which will be followed by a massive fireworks show. Now, he’s expected to go on around 11 p.m., according to his Truth Social post. “They say 11:00 O’Clock for the speech. Who cares??? Remember two weeks ago when the big UFC Event was at 100% chance of heavy rain, all week long, and just minutes before the card started,” he wrote. “Well, there wasn’t a single drop, and the fights turned out to be among the greatest in history, an event for the ages. Our great veterans, especially the old timers, many of whom are there, went through hellfire, and it didn’t stop them. It’s not going to stop us either! I’m not going to let some rain stop our 250th. I’m leaving the White House soon.” Katie Hawkinson5 July 2026 02:13Macy's fireworks show in NYC to start early due to storms The Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks show in New York City will start early — at 9:02 p.m. local time — due to severe weather, according to ABC 7. Katie Hawkinson5 July 2026 01:56