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Trump hails US might in July 4 speech

China Daily | Updated: 2019-07-06 07:33

Protesters assail him for putting himself center stage on holiday devoted to unity

WASHINGTON - With fighter jets flying overhead, US President Donald Trump praised the military and reveled in a show of pomp and patriotism on Thursday in a celebration of Independence Day that critics accused him of turning into a political event.

Trump, a Republican who was inspired to stage the event after seeing a similar display in France, dismissed concerns ahead of the ceremony about the expense and militaristic overtones of the event outside the 97-year-old Lincoln Memorial, a symbol of national unity.

"Our nation is stronger today than it ever was before. It is its strongest now," Trump said from a platform in front of the memorial, echoing a theme he uses at campaign rallies.

Trump hails US might in July 4 speech

Flanked by Bradley fighting vehicles, Trump otherwise steered clear of divisive political rhetoric, in a departure from the majority of his speeches. At times, an enthusiastic crowd could be heard chanting: "USA! USA! USA!"

Trump, 73, praised US military might despite having himself avoided the draft during the Vietnam War with bone spurs in his feet. With well-planned choreography, he told stories about each military branch before separate, dramatic flyovers of their respective military aircraft.

"We celebrate our history, our people, and the heroes who proudly defend our flag: the brave men and women of the United States military," Trump said. "For over 65 years, no enemy Air Force has managed to kill a single American soldier. Because the skies belong to the United States of America."

Not all the choreography appeared to go off as planned.

A flyover by Air Force One occurred unannounced and without fanfare. But a low and spectacular flyover by six F-18s known as the "Blue Angels" at the conclusion of Trump's speech thrilled the crowd. Some people shouted "Four More Years!" in support of the president.

Trump also paid tribute to the US Border Patrol and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, two agencies that have played leading roles in carrying out his tough immigration policies.

Earlier in the day, thousands of supporters wearing Trump's signature "Make America Great Again" hats, along with opponents questioning the cost of the event, poured into the US capital, despite scorching temperatures and intermittent rain, while a diapered 6-meter-tall "Baby Trump" balloon sat next to a banner calling Trump a traitor.

"We think that he is making this about himself and it's really a campaign rally," said Medea Benjamin, co-director of anti-war organization Codepink. "We think that he's a big baby. ... He's erratic, he's prone to tantrums, he doesn't understand the consequences of his actions. And so this is a great symbol of how we feel about our president."

Ahead of the speech, Democrats also accused the president of staging an out-of-place campaign rally, aware he has a history of veering off script with sharp partisan attacks even at events that are not meant to be overtly political.

The July 4th holiday celebrates the US founders' declaring independence from Britain in 1776.

Incidents of violence

However, incidents of violence erupted in different states of the United States on Thursday, casting shadows on the Independence Day celebrations, according to media reports.

In Poulsbo, a city in the western state of Washington, police shot dead a man during a fireworks show on the eve of the Independence Day.

The Poulsbo Police Department said police officers received reports of a man threatening people as a large crowd was converging at a park to watch the fireworks show. One of the officers shot at the man with his handgun and struck him, who later died from gunshot wounds.

Outside the White House in Washington DC, according to the US Secret Service, two people were arrested for "burning an American flag outside the limits of a permit that had been issued by the National Park Service".

Also on Thursday, at a plasma donation center in Petersburg, Virginia, the police arrested an unidentified suspect after several people were stabbed, according to CNN's affiliate WTVR.

Following an annual fireworks show on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan, another three people were stabbed in a fight, and 16 others were taken to hospitals after being trampled by people fleeing the scene, according to Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.

Agencies - Xinhua

(China Daily 07/06/2019 page8)

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