Washington’s Locked-Down USA 250 Birthday Party
By • July 2, 2026 4 1035
Washington, D.C., as in detention center, is feeling anxious this Fourth of July on America’s 250th birthday. It didn’t have to be this way, but we do feel sort of locked down, fenced in and left out — we, being the people who actually live here.
Have you driven around Constitution Avenue or Independence Avenue? Last week, when we tried to get our press credentials for the Freedom 250 activities down at the National Mall, we were given different addresses along Madison Drive. We didn’t know where to park, but you couldn’t park anyway. If you wanted to walk, you really had to want to really walk. Cry babies, maybe; fake news, doubtful.
Downtown around the national monuments, there are fences around fences and barricades around barricades, along with street detours galore. There’s security, and then there’s hyper security.
As I am writing this commentary, there are fighter jets streaking above our house at noon — kind of distracting but, yes, always fun and loud. (Many more to come.)
Residents of the nation’s capital will be turning to their neighborhoods — what with parades in the Palisades and on Capitol Hill, barbecues in Cleveland Park and Wesley Heights and parties in Georgetown and Chevy Chase.
Gone are the days when you could rush along the Georgetown waterfront and past the Kennedy Center to jog up the Watergate Steps to be at the Lincoln Memorial and see the fireworks and then rush back to the party in Georgetown. (Did that really happen?)
There are new areas off-limits, and even the fireworks seem to be that way, being timed to lift around 11 p.m. (Come on, man, that’s pyrotechnics for TV and social media.) Maybe this 100-degree weather will render my kvetching moot.
Still, we of a certain age recall the seeming spontaneous joyfulness of 50 years ago. The Bicentennial involved everyone. The president was around but he didn’t make himself the center of attention. I recall the tall ships in New York Harbor which were quite the sight to behold — with long-gone family members, still in my heart. America after the Vietnam War and Watergate was healing and had come together for a great national birthday party in 1976.
But don’t take my word for it. Allow a few of our colleagues to share their viewpoints.
My friend, Washington native Jenice Armstrong of the Philadelphia Inquirer, offers a succinct view with “Trump’s Reflecting Pool debacle mirrors what’s ailing America.”
CNN chimes in with a well-researched history lesson.
Marc Fisher of City Cast DC echoes our sentiment on Washingtonians being excluded from the party: “Trump’s D.C. July 4 Show Isn’t for D.C.”
Katie Rodgers of the New York Times concurs with “Washington Is Fenced In for the 4th as Trump ‘Beautifies’ the Capital.”
Yes, we are grateful to see long-neglected places cleaned up for the 250th. Have you seen the beautiful fountain at Meridian Hill Park? Columbus Circle at Union Station? Dupont Circle? Be sure to check out the illuminated Washington Monument.
We will be especially happy when we can enjoy our fountains, parks, bike lanes and walkways with far less fencing, open to all. Happy 250th birthday, USA! God bless America.
Courtesy DHS.
Along Constitution Avenue. Photo by Bill Starrels.
Robert, you and your readers should come down to the Mall for the Freedom 250 celebration! It’s a great representation of country, from
the States and the Territories, our Federal Agencies, and Patriotic companies!
Enjoy the 4th of July and our Country’s 250 years and many more to come!
DJT:
Please read an accompanying story in our Thursday newsletter, headlined “Workers, Visitors Give Great American State Fair a Thumbs-Up,” by Callie Solomon. Thank you. — RAD
Robert I was born in Georgetown in 1939 and have a business here since 1964 so as a native I could not agree with you more as it IS a sad state of affairs in our beloved city. Thank you for expressing what so many of us feel.
Your piece made me feel nostalgic for D.C. back in the day. Nice read. Thanks for linking to my column.