[custom_adv] Washington always puts on a show for the Fourth of July, but this year President Donald Trump added his own Independence Day event.The "Salute to America" ceremony, held at the Lincoln Memorial, featured military flyovers, music and a speech from the President himself. [custom_adv] The event drew considerable scrutiny in the days leading up to it. There was concern that it would politicize the military. There were also critics who said the event, with its massive VIP section and tickets for political donors, had the sheen of a partisan affair. [custom_adv] Washington's annual fireworks display was moved to a nearby park to accommodate the event, but it was expected to be longer than usual this year thanks to donations from fireworks manufacturers. [custom_adv] Thousands of people braved weather that was alternately scorching and wet as they poured into Washington for Fourth of July festivities on Thursday, celebrating the nation’s birthday among the monuments and memorials to its history. [custom_adv] But this year’s celebration also promised to be stamped with President Trump’s personal brand. Jumbotron screens were ready to display his remarks for the crowd in the evening. And tanks and other fighting vehicles stood on display, even if few people could clearly see them. [custom_adv] A fight involving more than a dozen people broke out near the White House around 5 p.m. as anti-Trump demonstrators set fire to an American flag. [custom_adv] The Secret Service quickly intervened, breaking up the fight and closing off the Lafayette Square side of Pennsylvania Avenue. Squad cars arrived with backup agents as the anti-Trump demonstrators remained on the street. [custom_adv] Then the protesters again set fire to an American flag, raising it for the crowd to see. One Secret Service agent grabbed the flag, appearing to burn himself as he dropped it to the sidewalk. [custom_adv] Forecasts had suggested a continuing chance of thunderstorms in the evening, but Mr. Trump’s speech was only slightly delayed by the rainy weather. Nor did the clouds still hanging over the capital prevent the flyovers of aircraft during Mr. Trump’s speech, as had been feared. [custom_adv] Inside the secure area near the Lincoln Memorial, where Mr. Trump plans to hold his “Salute to America,” several thousand people — many wearing “Make America Great Again” hats and decked in red, white and blue — had camped out several hours ahead of the president’s speech. [custom_adv] Washington always puts on a show for the Fourth of July, but this year President Donald Trump added his own Independence Day event.The "Salute to America" ceremony, held at the Lincoln Memorial, featured military flyovers, music and a speech from the President himself. [custom_adv] The Secret Service quickly intervened, breaking up the fight and closing off the Lafayette Square side of Pennsylvania Avenue. Squad cars arrived with backup agents as the anti-Trump demonstrators remained on the street.
