Today, President Donald Trump is participating in the kick-off of the Great American State Fair. The ceremony on the National Mall begins the official celebration of the United States’ 250th Anniversary. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins will also offer remarks during the celebration.

The ceremony will include demonstrations by military jets and stealth bombers, presentations by military honor guards and specialty units from the U.S. Park Police, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service, and performances by the U.S. Marine Band, the U.S. Army Band, and a 30-member Armed Forces chorus.

President Trump is meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House earlier in the day. They will discuss the member nations’ increases in military defense as the United States reduces its troop presence and military equipment in parts of Europe. The U.S. drawdown is at least partially due to the lack of support from European nations during Operation Epic Fury in Iran.

Senate committees are considering the president’s nominees for confirmation to positions in the Departments of Transportation, Labor, Interior, and Health and Human Services. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, will hear testimony from Commissioner David Steiner on reforming the U.S. Postal Service’s business model.

As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…

• For President Trump and administration officials as they kick off the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration.
• For the president to receive God’s guidance as he meets with the NATO secretary-general.
• For members of Senate committees as they consider the confirmation of the president’s nominees to federal posts.
• For the Lord’s grace upon this nation to be recognized and that He be glorified in the nation’s celebration of its 250th anniversary