politics
U.S. Government Plans Two Separate Events for 250th Anniversary
The federal government will hold two events on July 4, 2026, one in Washington, D.C., and one in Los Angeles. Separate commissions are organizing the events with limited coordination.
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The U.S. government will host two events on July 4, 2026, marking the country's 250th anniversary. One event will take place in Washington, D.C., and the other in Los Angeles. Congress created the America250 commission in 2016 to plan nationwide anniversary events. The commission included private citizens, lawmakers, and cabinet officials.
President Trump signed an executive order on January 29, 2025, establishing Freedom 250 to handle programming in Washington, D.C. America250 then shifted its focus to events outside the capital. America250 requested $150 million from Congress in 2025.
The Interior Department later transferred $25 million to the commission instead of the planned $50 million. The Interior Department also transferred at least $68 million to the nonprofit organization housing Freedom 250 in April 2025.
America250 had planned a parade through Washington, D.C., and a Smithsonian cultural festival. Freedom 250 replaced those events with the Great American State Fair. At least nine states declined to participate in the state fair. America250 continues to run a student essay contest, while Freedom 250 runs a student art contest. CNN plans to cover the Times Square ball drop on July 3, 2026.
Internal Tensions Rep.
Bonnie Watson Coleman said the planning process involved organizational issues, personality conflicts, and lack of vision. Sen. Alex Padilla criticized the creation of a competing group. Rosie Rios, chair of the America250 commission, said the commission recommended the executive order and deferred D.C. planning to the White House.
