US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) insisted that he’ll go ahead with his fourth of July speech even after storm and rain prompted National Mall evacuation.“Storms bring luck to whatever the occasion. They also make events a little bit more exciting! We will wait it out, 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,” said the US president on Truth Social.Further justifying his reasons he added, ” 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??? Remember two weeks ago when the big UFC Event was at 100% chance of heavy rain, all week long, and just minutes before the card started. Well, there wasn’t a single drop, and the fights turned out to be among the greatest in history, an event for the ages. Our great veterans, especially the old timers, many of whom are there, went through hellfire, and it didn’t stop them. It’s not going to stop us either! I’m not going to let some rain stop our 250th. I’m leaving the White House soon. God Bless America!”This comes as the Secret Service temporarily suspended security screening at the National Mall ahead of Trump’s Independence Day address, citing dangerous storms, and urged attendees to seek shelter immediately.In a post on X, the Secret Service said, “CHECKPOINTS CLOSED — SEEK SHELTER: Security screening on the National Mall has been suspended due to dangerous storms. If you are already on the grounds, follow directions from officers and event staff and move to shelter immediately. Do not shelter under trees.”However, later they assured that they venue will reopen shortly. “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. For programming information, continue to monitor.”Visitors waited for hours to enter the event, navigating heightened security and sweltering temperatures that reached 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius). The record-breaking heat wave also forced the cancellation of several parades and other Independence Day events across the area.“It’s just part of the deal I signed up for,” said Glen Solander, 60, a software engineer visiting from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, while waiting at a security checkpoint on Saturday afternoon, as quoted by Reuters.Several attendees shared their experience from there as they’re being to evacuate. White House Correspondent for News Nation shared a videoin which the announcement can be heard.Meanwhile the agency also shared a list of designated shelter locations for attendees, including the Ronald Reagan Building, the Departments of Commerce, Agriculture and Education, the Internal Revenue Service building, the Voice of America building, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
