The Trump Administration Wants $10 Million More to Cover Its July Fourth Celebrations
Merkley says the Interior Department wants taxpayers to cover costs for prayer, fair and fireworks events after Congress already set aside $150 million.
- The Trump administration is seeking $10 million from Congress to reimburse the National Park Service for Freedom 250 events, including the Great American State Fair and July Fourth fireworks on the National Mall.
- Congress allocated $150 million for the 250th anniversary in the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, directing $100 million to Freedom 250 and $50 million to America250, the congressionally created group tasked with planning celebrations.
- In a Wednesday letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, questioned why private donors are not covering remaining costs. "Given that understanding, what has gone wrong that has led to this additional request for taxpayer funds?" Merkley wrote.
- The Interior Department cited an "elevated security posture" due to April's White House Correspondents' Dinner attack and other threats, though Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., called the request the "cherry on top of this corruption cake."
- Freedom 250 plans August programming including the Patriot Games and an IndyCar race, while Merkley requested responses to his five questions by the end of next week.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Donald Trump Administration Seeks $10M More In Taxpayer Funds For Freedom 250 Events
Alex Brandon - Pool via CNP / MEGAAlex Brandon - Pool via CNP / MEGA Donald Trump’s administration is asking Congress for an additional $10 million in federal funding to cover costs incurred during National Mall events celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. The move has left Democratic lawmaker Jeff Merkley taken aback, as Freedom 250-linked celebrations had already received substantial federal funding and financial backing from major corporat…
Trump Vowed Private Donors Would Pay For Freedom 250; Taxpayers Just Got The Bill
Turns out "Freedom" isn't free — and neither is Trump's sparsely attended 250th anniversary bash. The Department of the Interior is going back to Congress with its hand out again, this time asking for another $10 million to cover costs from this summer's Freedom 250 festivities: a Christian prayer service, the Great American State Fair, and the July 4th fireworks show that tried (and failed) to set a world record. That's on top of the $150 milli…
The Trump administration wants $10 million more to cover its July Fourth celebrations
Congress allocated $150 million for 250th birthday events. The Trump-backed group that planned the state fair and July 4th fireworks is asking for an additional $10 million in reimbursements.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
