WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's July Fourth celebration on the National Mall will feature one of the largest fireworks displays ever and as many as 300,000 face masks will be given away to those who want them — but despite health concerns from D.C.'s mayor, no one apparently will be required to wear them.
Trump made no mention of the masks or of the pandemic overall in a tweet Wednesday on his Independence Day pIans. He thanked corporate donors for supporting "what will, without question, be a special evening."
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt outlined a second year of military-focused events in the nation's capital on July Fourth, including Defense Department flyovers for a "one-of-a-kind air show."
"President Trump's 2020 Salute to America will be a patriotic tribute to our men and women in uniform," Bernhardt said in a statement.
The annual Independence Day Parade begins in downtown Washington, D.C., July 4, 2012. (Alison Klein/VOA)
A mile-long firing of 10,000 fireworks will be "the largest in recent memory," he said.
July Fourth comes as Americans are dealing with surging cases of COVID-19 and confusion over best practices in public, especially on masks. Trump has been criticized for pushing to go ahead with large campaign rallies and other public gatherings, like the upcoming holiday event, despite the increased risks of infection.
Among those deeply concerned is Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, who doesn't have the right to shut down the holiday spectacle because it's on federal land, but warned the federal government about the obvious dangers of such a large crowd.
Bowser said she had briefly read through the Interior Department's statement on the July Fourth plans and believed they were not consistent with established health guidelines.
"We know this is a special event for the Department of Interior. We've communicated to them that we do not think this is in keeping with the best CDC and Department of Health guidance. But this event will take place entirely on federal property," Bowser said.
Washington is currently in phase 2 of its reopening plans, and Bowser asked district residents to avoid large crowds and celebrate July Fourth at or near their homes.
"We are giving D.C. residents the same message about any of their outings for the holiday weekend. Ask yourself, do you need to be there," she said. "Ask yourself, can you anticipate or know who all is going to be around you? If you go downtown, do you know if you'll be able to social distance?"
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks about the District's coronavirus response in front of a table of hand sanitizer and personal protective equipment, March 31, 2020, in Washington. She has asked residents to avoid large crowds.
Interior officials planned to have 300,000 face coverings on hand to give away at the National Mall. Bernhardt said visitors would be encouraged to wear masks and keep a 2-meter distance from one another. There was no indication that would be mandatory, despite the recommendations of health officials.
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said Wednesday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations on masks — which say the face coverings "are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings" — are not mandatory in themselves.
"The president has said that we should follow our local authorities with masks, so that's the decision," McEnany said. "He encourages people to follow those authorities. CDC guidelines, I'd also note, say recommended but not required and we are very much looking forward to the Fourth of July celebration."
Trump and first lady Melania Trump plan to host events from the White House south lawn and from the Ellipse on Saturday, the day after Trump attends a separate fireworks display and public gathering at Mount Rushmore.
This year's event is expected to roll out without military vehicles. After Trump had expressed admiration for France's military-themed parades, last year's Independence Day events, featuring an address by Trump near the Lincoln Memorial and military flyover, included stationary displays of Bradley fighting vehicles.
An Interior Department inspector general's report last week estimated the partial price tag of last year's Salute to America at $13 million, twice as much as previous years', in part because of the cost of including the Bradleys. Like last year, donations are helping support part of the cost of the July Fourth events, Bernhardt said.