Wes Moore: Trump on July 4 has ‘tried to make this moment about him’

State Watch Wes Moore: Trump on July 4 has ‘tried to make this moment about him’ Comments: by Sarah Davis - 07/03/26 3:53 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Sarah Davis - 07/03/26 3:53 PM ET Comments: Link copied

NOW PLAYING

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Friday criticized President Trump’s decision to hold a July 4 rally on the National Mall during a heat wave in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

“I think that we should never ask our people to sacrifice in order to hear a speech,” he told The Hill’s Judy Kurtz and Hillary Howard on “Happening on The Hill.”

Moore pointed to his decision to deliver his Independence Day address to Marylanders virtually from the statehouse.

“I’m asking our people to watch from the comfort of their homes. That’s why we’re live streaming,” the governor said. “I do think though it’s important for people to pay attention to weather, to what mother nature is telling us, for us to be able to hydrate, and yes, if that means adjusting plans to make sure that our people are OK and our people are taken care of, I think the White House should pay attention to that.”

Temperatures in the nation’s capital have surged to over 100 degrees ahead of July 4, posing challenges to many outdoor events planned to mark America’s 250th anniversary.

The Great American State Fair — a 16-day event on the mall — closed temporarily on Friday due to high temperatures. The fair’s organizer, Freedom 250, said the gates will reopen at 5 p.m.

Temperatures on July 4 could be as high as 102 degrees, with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

In a press conference earlier this week, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) advised those attending Fourth of July festivities to exercise caution in the heat.

“People have to really watch the heat, watch what they’re drinking, and get home as soon as the fireworks are over,” the Democratic official said.

The fireworks show has been postponed for late Saturday evening due to Trump’s speech. D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly Sr. said that event organizers have “worked from the beginning to make sure that there is hydration available inside the secure areas” on the mall.

Add as preferred source on Google Tags D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser Donald Trump Judy Kurtz Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Muriel Bowser President Trump The White House Wes Moore

Comments: Link copied