Let’s Not Allow Anti-American Left-Wingers Spoil America’s Semiquincentennial

In a January commentary, I expressed concern that those on the political left would be for Independence Day what the Grinch is to Christmas. As we approach the 250th milestone next month, it appears my concerns were justified.

Make no mistake about it, those on the radical left have harbored and expressed anti-American sentiments at least since their “Days of Rage” in the 1960s. It has manifested itself in flag burning, refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance—and even trying to have it banned in schools and public functions—protesting the National Anthem, and a long litany of other acts that demonstrate contempt for American values, traditions and actions.

They reject the concept of American Exceptionalism and often side with adversary nations on critical matters of foreign policy. They resent America’s military leadership in the world. They cheer when the United States faces setbacks on the international stage and wring their hands at displays of American strength and resolve. This is not mere policy disagreement. It is a deep-seated ideological opposition to the idea that the United States is a force for good in the world. They reject free-market capitalism – the economic system that made the American people among the wealthiest on earth. They repudiate the basic constitutional concepts that made the American people the freest on earth.

Since they are overcome by an obsessive and irrational hatred for President Trump, their anti-American sentiments have exploded to all-out hostility. They oppose virtually every celebratory event because America’s semiquincentennial anniversary happens to occur during Trump’s second term.

We saw the precursor of things to come on the 250th anniversary of the United States Army. By any patriotic standard, that should have been a day of significant note and celebration—an event to express unity and appreciation for the generations of men and women who have defended this nation.

Trump recognized the day—and the sacrifice of generations of the men and women in the military—with a parade. Rather than join in the celebrations, the left-wing faction of the Democratic Party went into opposition overdrive. They seized upon the coincidence of Trump’s birthday and the anniversary of the Army as a rationale to twist the event into a self-serving spectacle in honor of his birthday—literally disregarding the real importance of the day. And even worse, they carried out a massive misnamed “No Kings” protest falsely intimating that America was no longer a democracy. It was a contemptible disregard for America’s military history – and all those who served, were wounded and died.

The left’s anti-American sentiment was seen in the needless controversy over a monument to memorialize America’s 250th anniversary. Such civic expressions are not uncommon. One can debate the style, design, or location of such monuments—as is often the case—but to oppose the concept is a whole different ball game. It reveals a fundamental discomfort with honoring the nation’s founding and its enduring achievements.

The radical left is having a hissy fit over one of a series of celebratory events, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) exhibition on the south lawn of the White House and the National Mall hosted by Freedom 250. Left-wing activists tried to get the federal courts to stop the event at the last minute.

As with NASCAR auto racing, left-wing elitists look down on such all-American spectacles—and those who perform, those who promote, and those who attend. Even though these events are widely popular among the American people, the coastal cosmopolitans and academic elitists turn up their noses at anything that smacks of heartland patriotism.

Another notable occasion in America’s 250th celebration has been the 2026 football World Cup—or soccer as we Americans call it. But because this recognized world prize was secured by Trump, those on the left went into attack mode. Rather than celebrate a major international event hosted on American soil, they carp and criticize, preferring instead to diminish any success associated with the current administration.

The main organizing vehicles for America’s celebration are the America250 Commission and the Freedom 250 initiative. The first is a creature of Congress, and the second is the White House counterpart. They are not competitive operations—as the critics would have you believe. They appear to be working in tandem in a spirit of cooperation to deliver a fitting commemoration of this historic milestone.

One of the plans developed by the Freedom 250 Initiative is a National State Fair (excusing the oxymoron). As soon as they heard this was under the auspices of the White House, the Trump-hating cabal of entertainers condemned the event and refused to participate.

In anticipation of such notable celebrations, it is common to spruce things up a bit. You may recall how California Governor Newsom swept the streets clean of homeless encampments for the visit of foreign dignitaries. That tradition has held true for virtually every World’s Fair and Olympics. But give the reflecting pool a modest makeover, and the left goes bonkers, accusing the administration of wasting resources. (I do believe by any objective observation, the Reflecting Pool’s appearance is greatly improved).

Just because Trump has a propensity to go overboard on construction projects, and puts too much ego into many of them, does not mean everything he does to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary is inappropriate or unworthy. That is where the Trump haters and the anti-American constituency go overboard. Their reflexive opposition blinds them to the genuine value of national pride and communal celebration.

This pattern of left-wing anti-Americanism runs deep and wide. Recall how segments of the left celebrated or excused the violence and chaos of the 2020 riots, tearing down statues of Founding Fathers and American heroes while labeling the entire nation as irredeemably racist. They push open borders policies that undermine national sovereignty and flood communities with unvetted migrants, straining resources and eroding the rule of law. They advocate defunding the police even as crime surges in major cities, revealing a preference for ideology over public safety.

We are a diverse nation, but our unity—or nationhood—is based on a respect for the overarching symbols of the American culture and the ability to celebrate American Exceptionalism in common cause. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the sacrifices at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Normandy, and beyond—these are not relics of a flawed past to be deconstructed. They are the bedrock of the freest, most prosperous and most successful democratic republic the world has ever known.

The 250th anniversary offers all Americans an opportunity to reflect on how far this experiment in self-government has come. From thirteen fragile colonies to a superpower that defeated tyranny, liberated continents, and uplifted billions through innovation and example, the American story is one of resilience, ingenuity, and unmatched freedom. No amount of leftist revisionism can erase that truth. Those who cannot bring themselves to celebrate it reveal far more about their own withered souls than about the nation they so eagerly disparage.

On the Fourth of July—Independence Day—there will be parades, fireworks (or awesome drone shows), and outdoor grills laden with hot dogs and hamburgers. Families will gather under the stars, children will wave sparklers, and veterans will stand a little taller as the anthem plays. It would be nice if those on the radical left would join in the celebration. But if history is any guide, many will instead choose grievance over gratitude, division over unity, and criticism over commemoration.

As we mark this semiquincentennial, it can be a time to recommit to e pluribus unum, to national pride and the principles and traditions that made America great—and will keep our nation great for the next 250 years.

So, there ‘tis.