America's Big Beautiful Birthday in DC: What really happened?In spite of all the rhetoric and vitriol and doomerism, the Star Spangled Banner yet waves.
Opinion:
Last night long after the state-sanctioned fireworks had ended, I walked into my back alley and noticed the air was still thick with sulfuric smoke. The constant sound of fireworks echoed off the brick of the townhouses and the tin of the garage doors. I breathed in the hot, swampy haze and came to a realization: after 17 years in Washington, DC this was the most abundant display of celebration that this city had seen. For a moment, I felt like I was standing next to Francis Scott Key after he emerged from the bowels of a prison ship and watched the bombs bursting above the earthen and stone ramparts of Fort McHenry at the Battle of Baltimore back in 1814. The rockets red glare tinged the night air and I must admit, among the sweat beading on my brow I felt the fresh salt of a tear. Americana, baby! I thought. I had spent the afternoon on the White House grounds ahead of Trump's signing of the historic BBB, or Big, Beautiful Bill. Somehow, through sheer force of will, The President had managed to bend the entire legislative body to his agenda and was prepared to signed the nearly 1,000 page piece of legislation ahead of the deadline of July Fourth. I am just a pigeon compared to the loftier and more reputable reporters who were invited to join Trump in the Oval as he inked his signature to sign the BBB into law. But the mere fact that the White House had granted me entry was indicative of the broadened access that the Trump Administration has afforded an offbeat independent like me. I received my White House press pass under the employ of former Force Recon Marine Chad Robichaux, who served eight tours in Afghanistan and is the host of the Resilient Show. I am not asking questions on behalf of a political party or a big corporate media entity, I am there on behalf of veterans like Chad, who fought and bled for our country and deserve a voice among the press corps. A message from our sponsor (piece continues below) Sponsored by AMAC Tired of AARP? There’s a Better Option – And It’s FREE
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Saturday, July 5, 2025
America's Big Beautiful Birthday in DC: What really happened?
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