Trump marks U.S. 250th anniversary with patriotic and partisan message

U.S. President Donald Trump commemorated the 250th anniversary of American independence in Washington on Saturday, using the holiday event to honor veterans while also advancing familiar political themes. Storms briefly disrupted the celebrations at the National Mall, forcing a roughly twohour evacuation before the event resumed. Trump praised veterans from several generations of U.S. military history and spoke in front of symbols tied to major moments in the country's past. The speech also reflected the partisan style Trump has brought to the holiday, as he promoted the SAVE America Act, defended gun rights, and repeated criticisms of communism. Across the country, Independence Day events were affected by extreme heat and severe weather, while cities including New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Washington held largescale festivities marking the milestone anniversary.