The National Mall was evacuated Saturday just hours before a massive Fourth of July fireworks display and a 250 Anniversary speech by President Trump due to an approaching thunderstorm — but several hundred people refused to leave.
Police began walking through the area, blaring whistles, and telling people to “move, move, move!”
“We are temporarily pausing the event. For your safety please proceed to the nearest exit immediately. Take shelter in your vehicle or a nearby permanent building,” an announcer told attendees.
But many of the guests, who had waited hours in the intense heat to get through the security line, rushed to the stage where President Trump is set to speak later and lingered.
As people stayed in their seats, authorities broadcast messages on large screens telling people of the “immediate evacuation” and urging them to listen to the Secret Service.
The crowd booed in response with others yelling “USA, USA, USA.” Lightning filled the darkening sky and the wind picked up as staff urged people to head to the nearest exit.
Some continued to refuse to leave but hundreds of others rushed to nearby federal buildings to wait out the weather.
It is unclear when the Salute to America celebration will continue. President Trump is scheduled to speak at 9:45 pm and White House officials said he planned to speak even if the timing had to be adjusted because of the storm.
The president vowed earlier this week to give a long address in honor of the country’s 250th birthday.
“Just to show that I can do anything,” Trump said on Wednesday. “It’s gonna be 107.”
Organizers said nothing had been canceled as of 8:30 p.m. The flyovers were eventually posted. The State Fair area was closed out as was the World Cup viewing area.
“The safety of our guests, performers, and staff is our top priority,” said Freedom 250 Spokesperson Danielle Alvarez.
“Freedom 250 will share updates on programming and doors reopening — please stay close to our official channels for updates.”
Secret Service officials dismantled the security screening areas leading into the stage area for the president’s speech for safety reasons, making it unclear how people would be cleared to re-enter the space.
“The U.S. Secret Service temporarily suspended checkpoint operations on the National Mall due to rapidly deteriorating weather conditions,” said a spokesman for the agency in a statement.
“No one is being admitted at this time. This action was taken solely in the interest of public safety, and we have no estimate for when screening may resume.”
There are several federal office buildings and Smithsonian Museum buildings near the National Mall where guests are being told they can wait out the storm.
The Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Internal Revenue Service, VOA Building, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, the African American Museum, and the Ronald Reagan Building are listed as available for shelter.
The capitol is under a severe thunderstorm warning until 10 pm ET.
