National Mall Evacuated In Advance Of Donald Trump Speech Due To Severe Weather

UPDATE: Donald Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier that he will deliver a speech for America’s 250th celebration “no matter what happens,” even though the National Mall has been evacuated due to severe weather.

Baier said that Trump called him and said, “I’m goin through bad weather. No matter what happens I am delivering this speech. We are going to do this program … whether it is 10 or 11 or 2 p.m.”

Scattered storms have moved into the region, something that is not all that uncommon in D.C. after a day of extreme heat. Around 7 p.m. ET, when the Salute to America event was about to start, officials began advising attendees to seek shelter in nearby buildings. Although it has yet to downpour, a big fear are lightning strikes.

A restarting of the program would mean that attendees would again have to be screened at the security perimeter. There were reports of long lines when gates were opened around 5 p.m. ET.

Baier said that he told Trump that if he speaks, “There may not be anybody here.”

Trump replied, “I don’t care. It’s America 250. If they can storm the beaches on D-Day I can deliver a speech and we can keep this program going.”

Baier had been sheltering in a trailer, where he spoke to a World War II veterans, including one who is 103.

PREVIOUSLY, 5:21 p.m. PT: Severe weather has postponed, for now, the Salute to America celebration on the National Mall that was to feature Donald Trump’s speech followed by fireworks.

After a sweltering hot day of record breaking temperatures in the region, the scattered storms moved in around 5 p.m. ET. The Salute to America was set to start at 7 p.m. ET, but attendees were advised to seek shelter.

Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said in a statement, “The safety of our guests, performers, and staff is our top priority. Due to approaching severe storms, Freedom 250, United States Secret Service, United States Park Police, National Park Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and all public safety partners are asking all guests to evacuate event grounds and seek temporary shelter in a nearby building.”

Alvarez also provided a list of shelter locations, including 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.

The Secret Service also announced that it was suspending admissions to the grounds, which feature security checkpoints. “This action was taken solely in the interest of public safety, and we have no estimate for when screening may resume,” the Secret Service said.

Throughout the day, there have been military flyovers in the region to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. That has meant ground stops at Washington Reagan International Airport and delays at Washington Dulles International Airport.

On Fox News, Monica Crowley, chief of protocol, said that lightning strikes in the region have been a concern. “We are watching the weather very closely,” she said.

Trump is scheduled to start speaking around 9:45 p.m. ET. A stage was set up near the Washington Monument for the event, located just west of the Great American State Fair on the Mall.