250th Anniversary Speech Message Focuses on 'Anti-Communism' as 850,000 Fireworks Light Up the Sky

[Anchor]

Severe weather has disrupted the United States' 250th-anniversary celebrations. President Trump, who delivered his commemorative speech later than scheduled, used the occasion to call for anti-communism.

Washington correspondent Jeon Byung-nam reports from the scene.

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Endless crowds of people.

These are people gathered to attend the 250th-anniversary celebration held at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Despite temperatures nearing 40°C (104°F) and waiting for over three hours, the crowd erupted in cheers as the celebratory flyover of the new Air Force One began.

However, the festive atmosphere was short-lived, as an announcement was suddenly made to close the National Mall event site.

[U.S. Secret Service Official: When I finish speaking, the venue will be closed. Severe weather and storms are approaching.]

National Guard troops in uniform and police began directing people out of the venue.

Concerns had already been mounting over the deadly heatwave and the risk of heatstroke, and with the addition of storm forecasts, some events were ultimately canceled.

As the parade was called off, many who had visited the National Mall were forced to turn back.

[Sonia/California, USA: I have been waiting since 3:30 p.m. The organizers are sending us out because of the threat of thunder and lightning.]

President Trump also waited for the severe weather to pass, finally taking the podium after 11:00 p.m.

The message he emphasized was anti-communism.

[Donald Trump/U.S. President: We do not want communists in the United States. We want to stop such threats immediately, and before they even begin. It is like a cancer.]

With the midterm elections four months away, this marked the beginning of an all-out offensive targeting democratic socialism, a rising force among the hard-line progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

The Associated Press noted, "Unlike Independence Day speeches that past presidents have used as opportunities for national unity, Trump's speech was unusually political."

As soon as President Trump's speech concluded, 850,000 fireworks were launched into the sky, creating a spectacular scene.

However, some states with strong Democratic support, such as Massachusetts and Illinois, did not participate in the federal government-hosted event at all, highlighting the deep divisions in the United States.

(Video coverage: Oh Jung-sik, Video editing: Kim Byung-jik)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.