Trump moves DC July 4 fireworks display, plans to deliver remarks: report

President Trump has reportedly taken a personal interest in his administration’s plan for July 4 celebrations in Washington D.C., and has notified city officials of plans to potentially alter the yearly celebration with a personal address.

The Washington Post reported Friday that plans are in the works for Trump to address the nation from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, while moving the city’s traditional fireworks display from the steps of the Capitol Reflecting Pool to nearby West Potomac Park.

{mosads}The administration reportedly contends that moving the fireworks display will allow more visitors to attend the celebrations, on which top aides reportedly told the Post the president has requested regular briefings and plans to focus around an address from himself.

The White House did not immediately return a request for comment from The Hill on the Post’s report. News of Trump’s reported plans to address the nation as part of July 4 celebrations come after the administration tabled plans to hold a military parade in the vein of Bastille Day celebrations in France following public backlash and criticism from Washington, D.C., officials.

An official with Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (D) administration panned the reported July 4 plans in a statement to the Post, telling the newspaper that the city would have to reexamine logistics for the celebration once the White House’s plans were finalized.

“We have a lot of people come to the Fourth of July. Logistically, over the years, the kinks have been worked out,” the official reportedly said. “We don’t want to throw off what already works.”

The news was also criticized by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, which oversees the Interior Department which Trump has reportedly tasked with carrying out the celebration.

“It’s not about any one president. It’s about how our nation came to be, because of a hardy band of brave men and women,” McCollum told the Post. “It’s not about any one person, it’s about ‘We, the people.’ And if the president moves to make this about him, I think he will find the America public disappointed and angered by it.”