Politico reports former president Donald Trump will hold a July 4 "TRUMP RALLY" on the National Mall. The announcement comes after multiple performers withdrew from the affiliated Great American State Fair, citing concerns about the fair's ties to Trump and prompting lineup changes. Park officials are not planning to reopen portions of the Mall that Trump had said would be ready before July 4; sources say the site will remain closed until at least August. Forecasters warn a dangerous, likely record-setting heat wave will scorch much of the eastern United States during the July 4 week, raising concerns about holding large outdoor events on the Mall. Reports also indicate additional National Guard and law enforcement personnel have been assigned to patrol the Mall for the holiday. The rally and the Fair now face parallel logistical and political headwinds, performer withdrawals, restricted public access, and extreme heat, that will shape security, attendance, and programming on July 4.
