America at 250: A Fourth of July marked by celebration and political division

America celebrated 250 years of independence on Saturday in a way that matches the times of 2026.

Military jets waved through crowds of astonished parents and children. The air was filled with the sounds of fireworks, even before sunset. Vintage cars and marching bands glide down the parade routes, a nod to the revolutionary mid-century that came to dominate the idea of ​​a “better time.”

But it didn’t take long for the divisive politics of our time to come to the fore.

It started with President Trump’s fiery speech on Friday, in which he railed against communism, followed by Democratic leaders criticizing him for divisive, hurtful remarks on a day that should bring people together.

Some Fourth of July celebrants wanted to talk about anything but politics. Topics ranged from the balmy weather of California to the dangerously hot temperatures of the East Coast to the World Cup, where, on Sunday, Mexico will take on England in a game where many – in LA at least – are likely to share the disdain of our founding fathers Brits.

In Santa Monica, parade-goers lined Main Street decked out in glittery red, white and sky blue leotards and stars-and-stripes tank tops. They wave small American flags as the salty sea breeze blows in from the Pacific Ocean.

Venice resident Dana Paris, wearing a red, white and blue US soccer jersey, attended the annual event for the first time. Amid political turmoil around the world, “I feel like I have to be here, show my colors, show my Americanness and remember that we’re all different,” she said.

Jim Kennedy, who runs the Santa Monica Democratic Club, pointed to the World Cup as a unifying force — particularly the performance of the US men’s national team. The last game of the team that won Bosnia and Herzegovina was a draw record-breaking American audiences of 33.5 million viewers.

Hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, the international sporting event has drawn controversy, much of it centered on America’s immigration policies under the second Trump administration. The Iranian team was the first in the history of the World Cup to compete against the host country. However, the biggest theme to emerge was the cross-cultural connections made by the fans.

“We have to keep our spirit and strength to face it [problems] and come together as people,” said Kennedy, wearing a World Cup chain and accompanied by his daughter and niece on skates.

A short distance up the coast, Pacific Palisades is hosting its first Independence Day celebrations since the Palisades fire devastated the community last year. The festivities kicked off with a 5K and 10K run, as well as a children’s run, followed by a parade and fireworks. Last year’s race took place in Venice due to fire damage.

“It’s nice to see people I know and my friends together running this race,” said a young man named Anders. he told KTLA. He added that his house had burned down, and “it’s nice to be back.”

Thousands turned out for Huntington Beach’s holiday festival, billed as the largest west of the Mississippi River and going strong for 122 years.

Justin Yaskowitz, 24, dressed as Uncle Sam, joins hundreds as they begin their one-mile run in the first leg of the 36th Annual Hermosa Ironman in Hermosa Beach on Saturday.

(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

Hundreds chose strenuous ways to celebrate at the annual Ironman competition in Hermosa Beach. In its 36th year, the race features a mile-long beach run and a mile-long ocean row. The final challenge is to knock down a 6 pack of beer immediately after getting out of the water.

Temperatures in coastal cities were comfortably in the 70s, a stark contrast to the hot East Coast communities. Washington DC and Philadelphia were expected to reach 100 degrees. (At the same time, it it was 68 degrees in Philly on July 4, 1776according to the diary kept by Thomas Jefferson.)

While dangerous temperatures shut down many events, revelers still filled the streets in Boston, Philadelphia and New York.

Even as revelers munched on hot dogs and partook in other holiday traditions, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence came amid a period in US history plagued by bitter political divisions. With the recent decision of the US Supreme Court upholding the right to birthright as a citizen – which President Trump wants to reduce – the question of who becomes an American is very important to many.

President Donald Trump speaks at Mt. Rushmore National Memorial on Friday, near Keystone, SD

(Alex Brandon / AP Photo)

In his speech on Friday night at Mt. Rushmore, Trump praised America’s uniqueness before echoing one of the nation’s darkest moments of the last century by focusing on communism, calling it “the greatest threat to American freedom.”

“It’s the greatest threat to our country, including World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor or 9/11,” he said, calling for Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would impose stricter voter ID laws.

Trump’s comments come as left-wing progressives like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have risen as a political force to be reckoned with.

Former President Clinton painted those in the White House as threats to “democracy itself.”

“The people in power have released mask agents into American communities to take people from their homes, workplaces and streets,” he wrote in a statement. “They started an unconstitutional war of their own free will, without clear goals or an exit strategy, and with no regard for the consequences on the lives of millions of people around the world.”

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom similarly pointed the finger at the White House, specifically calling out Trump in a lengthy statement. Trump “doesn’t care about you, he doesn’t care about America, and he doesn’t care about his political party,” he said.

Raising speculation that Trump is trying to interfere in the upcoming midterm elections, he said he is working on a new law in California that would make it a crime to take ballots before state and county officials approve the ballot.

Fourth of July celebrations were somber at Los Angeles National Cemetery in Westwood, where a number of families visited the resting places of their departed loved ones.

Ana Fajardo sits in a blue folding chair next to the grave of her son Edgar E. Lopez, a former Marine Corps sergeant who was he was killed by enemy action in the Iraqi province of Babil in 2004. A bouquet of red, white and green flowers was placed next to the tombstone. A small star-shaped Mylar balloon was nailed to the grass at one end.

Fajardo’s voice wavered when he remembered one of his son’s promises: “He always told me when he was at home: ‘Mom, don’t worry when you don’t work, when you don’t do anything, I will take care of you.'”

During the continuation of the United States in the conflicts in the Middle East, Fajardo recalls that his son made it clear that he chose to risk his life for the United States of America. “When he left for the first time, he told me, ‘Ma, don’t worry if something happens to me because I am fighting for the country.'”