Trump Pushes For July 4 Independence Day Celebration Despite COVID-19 Threat

President Donald Trump is pushing for an Independence Day celebration July 4 in Washington D.C., even as local officials have canceled the annual parade amid the threats of coronavirus.

But as the state is preparing to roll out its phased reopening plans Friday, Trump is reportedly intent on holding a July 4 party.

Sources told CNN a planned celebration at the National Mall will be pushing forward, while emergency medical teams have been advised to make preparations for Independence Day.

"As President Trump has said, there will be an Independence Day celebration this year and it will have a different look than 2019 to ensure the health and safety of those attending," Judd Deere, the White House spokesperson, said. "The American people have shown tremendous courage and spirit in the fight against this global pandemic just as our forefathers did in the fight to secure our independence, and both deserve celebration on America's birthday this year."

Based on the guidelines to reopen Washington D.C., gatherings will only be allowed for up to 10 people. Larger crowds of more than 250 people could only converge in the fourth and last phase. However, Phase 4 is not expected to be implemented until a COVID-19 vaccine has been discovered.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also reiterated a parade in the nation's capital will not be possible.

"I don't know another way to say it, the parade has been canceled," Bowser said. "Our big concern would be around how to manage fireworks and we will continue to work with Interior on that."

Democrats in Washington, D.C. apparently sent a letter to the Secretaries of Defense and Interior expressing their opposition to the July 4 celebrations. The lawmakers said it would be "logistically" impossible to keep people safe from COVID-19 based on the number of individuals who attend the parade every year.

Trump’s July 4 plans come as the United States breached the 100,000 mark for COVID-19 deaths and nearly 1.7 million positive cases as of May 27.