President Donald Trump spoke at a delayed Fourth of July event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., after a thunderstorm forced a temporary evacuation. The address, which began late at night, marked the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Trump thanked attendees for returning despite the weather and framed the celebration around themes of national heritage and political struggle. He invoked the idea of freedom prevailing over oppression, tying that rhetoric to broader anti-communist statements and a call for new federal voting rules under the “SAVE America Act.” The event, featuring a historic 1777 flag and a large fireworks display, carried a distinctly political tone ahead of the November midterm elections, where Republicans aim to keep control of Congress.