But rather than solidify Trump’s control over the organization, the calls appear to have backfired, setting off a struggle for control of the organization, according to interviews with eight people briefed on the recent turmoil in the organization, who spoke with me on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The nation’s leaders have been planning since 2016 for next year’s celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which are expected to involve events in each of the states, including a ball drop in Times Square on July 4, organized in partnership with the commission. Some of the people familiar with the discussion suspect that the White House wants to replace the four Republican commissioners—who are largely apolitical historical boosters and academics—with people more directly loyal to Trump, including one whom the president could then elevate to replace the commission’s chairwoman, Rosie Rios, a former U.S. treasurer during the Obama administration.
Author: Michael Scherer
Published at: 2025-08-06 20:56:00
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