Trump speech confirmed for July 4 event
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's participation in the nation's annual Fourth of July celebration will include a speech honoring America's armed forces, along with music, military demonstrations and flyovers, the administration announced Wednesday, about two weeks before the patriotic holiday.
Federal lawmakers, local officials and others have voiced concerns that Trump could alter the tone of what traditionally is a nonpartisan celebration of America's founding by delivering an overtly political speech after he added himself to an event that typically has not included the president.
Independence Day usually draws tens of thousands of people to the National Mall for the celebration. Regular events this year include the National Independence Day Parade down Constitution Avenue, a concert featuring the National Symphony Orchestra on the West Lawn of the Capitol and the fireworks display.
Trump teased his event, which he is calling "Salute to America," during his re-election kick-off rally Tuesday night in Florida.
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said Wednesday that Trump will use the speech, which the president promised in a February tweet, to honor the military.
Bernhardt, who supervises the National Mall, which is the backdrop for one of the nation's largest July 4 celebrations, also said the World War II Memorial and areas around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will be opened to the public for the first time in recent memory for viewing the annual fireworks display.
Georgia shifts primary off Super Tuesday
ATLANTA -- Georgia is shifting its presidential primary to late March, leaving the group of states including Arkansas that will hold their votes on Super Tuesday.
Georgia's primary has been set for March 24, three weeks after Super Tuesday is held on March 3. Georgia has joined Super Tuesday in past election cycles.
The date announced Wednesday by Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger could relegate Georgia voters to a less influential position in deciding each party's nominee.
But it will also give state and county election officials a bit of breathing room in a tight timeline to replace the state's outdated touchscreen voting machines. New touchscreen machines are in the process of being acquired, and a vendor has yet to be selected.
The decision to set a date marks a reversal for the secretary of state's office, which had previously said it would not set one until a vendor for the new voting machines had been selected.
But county election officials worried that not setting a date could complicate preparations.
Alabama law lets church add police force
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has signed legislation that will permit Briarwood Presbyterian Church to establish its own police force for its church and school campuses.
The law, approved two weeks ago, allows the Birmingham-based church to set up a private law enforcement department to make arrests when crimes are committed on its properties.
Church officials say the measure is necessary to provide adequate security for the 2,000 students and faculty members on its two private school campuses.
Randall Marshall, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, said the law could allow the church to cover up criminal activity that occurs on its campuses. He expects the law to be challenged in the courts for unconstitutionally granting government power to a religious institution.
The new policy will go into effect in the fall.
Dallas shooter wanted to die, family says
DALLAS -- The family of the 22-year-old man who opened fire on a Dallas courthouse Monday said that the shooter had received mental health treatment and that they believe he wanted to be killed.
Brian Isaack Clyde's father and stepmother told The Dallas Morning News that they hadn't seen any warning signs but think he went to the Earle Cabell Federal Building so security would kill him.
Federal agents fatally shot Clyde Monday after he opened fire while dressed in a black mask and heavy vest. He was carrying an AR-15-style rifle and more than 150 rounds of ammunition.
Paul Clyde said his son was a skilled gunman and did not intend to shoot anyone.
His mother, Nubia Brede-Clyde, told the newspaper that Clyde had been in a mental institution during his time in the U.S. Army.
The FBI said Clyde was honorably discharged from the Army. Clyde served as an infantryman from August 2015 to February 2017 and achieved the rank of private first class, according to an Army spokesman. He never deployed to a war zone.
Investigators haven't determined a motive. The courthouse reopened for regular business Wednesday.
A Section on 06/20/2019