President Donald Trump's Fourth of July speech was delayed after severe storms swept through Washington DC, forcing crowds to evacuate the National Mall as police urged people to 'move, move, move!'02:12, 05 Jul 2026President Donald Trump's Fourth of July address has been postponed following a severe weather warning.‌Intense storms descended on Washington, prompting event organisers to order an evacuation on Saturday, July 4.‌Police moved through the crowds, blowing whistles, and instructing people to "move, move, move!".‌Some attendees, however, appeared reluctant to depart - with authorities broadcasting messages on large screens announcing the "immediate evacuation" and pleading with them to listen to the Secret Service.The crowd responded with boos while others chanted "USA, USA, USA.".‌"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 informed those present."Freedom 250 will share updates on programming and doors reopening," Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez stated, encouraging participants to take refuge in museums and federal buildings near the National Mall.Washington's metro system also confirmed several of its underground stations were open for shelter.‌The US Secret Service revealed it had temporarily shut checkpoints for screening attendees ahead of Trump's address, which had been due to commence around 10pm local time.Military flyovers, which have become a fixture of July Fourth celebrations in Washington in recent years, were also scrapped for the remainder of the day.‌Crowds had been gathering in the vicinity several hours before Trump's speech. Harsh weather conditions forced the scrapping of festivities in Hartford, Connecticut, as well as Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.Attendees at Boston's fireworks display and concert were instructed to temporarily take cover before proceedings recommenced.Elsewhere, fireworks arrangements remained on track in cities including New York, where tall ships sailed past the Statue of Liberty earlier, evoking memories of the grand celebrations marking America's bicentennial in 1976.‌It is unclear when the Salute to America celebration will continue.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 honour of the country’s 250th birthday.Article continues below“Just to show that I can do anything,” Trump said on Wednesday. “It’s gonna be 107.”