The National Mall was ordered evacuated Saturday as a thunderstorm moved toward Washington, just hours before a large Fourth of July fireworks show and President Trump’s planned 250th anniversary remarks. Despite the warning, several hundred attendees remained in place.
Police moved through the area blowing whistles and directing the crowd to “move, move, move!”
“We are temporarily pausing the event. For your safety please proceed to the nearest exit immediately. Take shelter in your vehicle or a nearby permanent building,” an announcer told attendees.
Many people, however, had already spent hours standing in oppressive heat to clear security. Instead of leaving, some rushed toward the stage where Trump was expected to speak later and stayed nearby.
As attendees remained seated, emergency messages appeared on large screens warning of an “immediate evacuation” and instructing the public to follow Secret Service directions.
Parts of the crowd responded with boos, while others chanted “USA, USA, USA.” Lightning flashed across the darkening sky and winds strengthened as staff continued urging people to make their way to the nearest exit.
While some attendees still declined to leave, hundreds of others hurried into nearby federal buildings to take shelter until the storm passed.
Trump, meanwhile, said the event would continue as planned.
“We will wait it out,” he wrote on Truth Social. “I don’t care if it’s 2:00 O’Clock in the morning, or in one hour from now. Looks like it is going to pass, they always do. I will be there no matter what, but the “what” usually turns out to be a good thing.”
“It’s Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight. They say 11:00 O’Clock for the speech. Who cares???,” he added,
A White House official said the gates to the National Mall event will reopen at 9:45 p.m. and President Trump’s speech is set for 11 p.m. The fireworks show will begin after his remarks.
The president vowed earlier this week to give a long address in honor of the country’s 250th birthday.
“Just to show that I can do anything,” Trump said on Wednesday. “It’s gonna be 107.”
The flyovers were eventually cancelled. The State Fair area was closed out as was the World Cup viewing area.
“The safety of our guests, performers, and staff is our top priority,” said Freedom 250 Spokesperson Danielle Alvarez.
“Freedom 250 will share updates on programming and doors reopening — please stay close to our official channels for updates.”
Secret Service officials had dismantled the security check points for safety reasons but are reopening them for crowd screenings.
“The Secret Service screening area will reopen shortly. Everyone who evacuated the site will go through screening again. The Secret Service is working to make screening as smooth as possible. Our bag restriction and prohibited items list remains the same,” the agency said.
There were several federal office buildings and Smithsonian Museum buildings near the National Mall where guests are being told they can wait out the storm.
The Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Internal Revenue Service, VOA Building, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, the African American Museum, and the Ronald Reagan Building were listed as available for shelter.
The capitol is under a severe thunderstorm warning until 10 pm ET.
