Washington, D.C
Top DC fireworks spots today: Where to watch July 4 for America 250
Washington DC July 4 fireworks could create significant air pollution.
Massive July 4 fireworks in DC could worsen air quality — officials urge N95 masks, limit outdoor exposure.
It’s Fourth of July in Washington DC, where a large gathering is expected to celebrate on the National Mall for America’s 250th birthday.
Whether you celebrate alongside tens of thousands of others in the heart of the District or choose to view the fireworks from a different vantage point, here’s a guide to navigating the day’s festivities.
What to know about Salute to America fireworks show
A large perimeter will be closed off around the National Mall for Salute to America, a White House-led Fourth of July celebration that will include a speech by President Donald Trump and fireworks.
The tentative schedule, which was updated Thursday, says fireworks will begin at 10:30 p.m. Considered “the largest fireworks display in history,” 850,000 shells will be launched from 10 sites: the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting pool, West Potomac Park and barges along the Potomac River.
When should you arrive to Salute to America?
With heat indices expected to climb into the triple digits, Freedom 250 organizers modified the schedule to reduce attendees’ exposure during the hottest part of the day.
Now, the Washington Monuments grounds do not open to the public until 5 p.m. The nighttime programming begins at 7 p.m.
Although it’s unclear when the best time to arrive to the Mall is, organizers expect a capacity crowd of 150,000 people to attend the event.
What can you bring to National Mall on July 4?
Attendees are now allowed to bring an empty, non-metal water bottle to the National Mall. There will be multiple complimentary refill stations, and organizers also plan to distribute free water bottles.
Blankets are allowed, as is one of the following: a clear, see-through bag that does not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, or a small clutch or purse not larger than 10 inches by 6 inches by 2 inches.
What is not allowed at National Mall on July 4?
Salute to America is expected to have TSA-like security measures, and the following items will not be allowed: aerosols including bug spray and sunscreen, glass or metal containers, ammunition, animals except service animals, backpacks, balloons, balls and frisbees, bicycles, bull horns and noise makers, camping chairs and folding chairs, coolers, drink tumblers, drones, flammable liquids, vapes and smokeless tobacco, laser pointers, lighters, mace and pepper spray, packages, pocket knives, range finders, recreational motorized mobility devices, selfie sticks, signs exceeding 20 inches by 3 inches by a quarter-inch. skateboards and scooters, explosives, firearms, toy guns and weapons of any kind.
The list of prohibited items follows guidelines from the U.S. Secret Service. Organizers say any items surrendered at the checkpoints “will be discarded or turned over for destruction.”
How to navigate the Metro in Washington DC on July 4
Metro Rail will be free from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. today, with additional trains going into service beginning at 5 p.m.
Metro said trains will arrive every 3-4 minutes downtown.
To get to and from the entrance to Salute to America, you should use the Federal Triangle or Smithsonian stations on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines. To avoid a transfer on the Red line, you can exit at Metro Center.
“Event officials and Metro staff will direct customers on the Mall to specific stations after the fireworks to help with crowd control,” Metro said. “Metro Transit Police will be at station entrances to monitor crowd flow and may, at times, limit entry to prevent overcrowding.”
When are the military flyovers July 4 in Washington DC?
Military flyovers and demonstrations will take place for seven hours along the National Mall and Washington Monument grounds today, with one more coming around the time fireworks begin.
- 1:14 p.m. – NASA F-5 Flyover
- 1:24 p.m. – NASA Fleet Review
- 1:44 p.m. – USCG Helo Flyover
- 1:54 p.m. – USCG Fixed Wing Flyover
- 2:09 p.m. – Golden Knights, Leap Frogs
- 2:29 p.m. – Army Helo Flyover
- 2:44 p.m. – USAF Fleet Review – Wave 1 – Heavies
- 2:54 p.m. – USAF Fleet Review – Wave 2 – AFSOC
- 3:04 PM – USAF Fleet Review – Wave 3 – Fighters
- 3:29 p.m. – Executive Rotary Wing Airlift
- 3:39 p.m. – USMC Fleet Review – Wave 1 – Rotary
- 3:49 p.m. – USMC Fleet Review – Wave 2 – Fixed Wing
- 3:59 p.m. – USN Fleet Review – Wave 1 – Rotary
- 4:09 p.m. – USN Fleet Review – Wave 2 – Fixed Wing
- 4:19 p.m. – USN Fleet Review – Wave 3 – Fighters
- 4:21 p.m. – USN F-18F Demonstration
- 4:59 p.m. – USN Blue Angels
- 5:26 p.m. – USMC MV-22 Osprey Demonstration
- 5:44 p.m. – USAF Fleet Review – Fighters
- 6:02 p.m. – USAF Tri-Bomber Formation
- 6:05 p.m. – USN F-35C Demonstration
- 6:25 p.m. – USAF Thunderbirds Demonstration
- 7:03 p.m. – Air Force One Flyover
- 7:07 p.m. – USAF Thunderbirds Delta Break
- 7:17 p.m. – HUGE 1 Flyover Led by the Newly Renovated Air Force One
- 7:38 p.m. – U.S. Stealth Airpower Flyover
- 7:39 p.m. – F-22 Raptor Demo
- 7:53 p.m. – F-22 Raptor in Afterburner
- 7:59 p.m. – B-1 Flyover
- 8:07 p.m. – B-1 in Afterburner
- 8:11 p.m. – HUGE ONE Fly Over Review
- 8:22 p.m. – Golden Knights Twilight Jump
- 10:36 p.m. – B-1 Afterburner Night Pass
Where else can you watch fireworks in Washington DC?
Freedom 250 will have viewing spots for tonight’s fireworks at Hains Point, Columbia Marina, RFK Stadium, Meridian Hill Park, Union Station, Lower Senate Park and Upper Senate Park.
Other popular areas to watch the fireworks include the Cardozo Education Campus in Columbia Heights, the Washington National Cathedral in northwest DC and the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court Building on Capitol Hill.
Washington DC officials have also released an interactive map that allows you to see your view of the fireworks from any place in the city.
Where can you watch DC’s fireworks from Virginia?
Gravelly Point along the George Washington Memorial Parkway is known as one of the best spots in Virginia to watch DC’s fireworks show.
In Arlington, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, the U.S. Air Force Memorial and Lady Bird Johnson Park are considered some of the top viewing spots.
The show can also be viewed from parts of the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail.
The towns of Fairfax, Great Falls and Herndon will have their own fireworks shows.
Where can you watch DC’s fireworks from Maryland?
The National Harbor has clear views of the Potomac River and is one of the most popular spots to watch DC’s fireworks show from Maryland.
There will also be fireworks shows nearby in Rockville and Frederick.
WASHINGTON – The Metropolitan Police Department released new body camera footage on Friday of an officer firing his gun at an armed carjacking suspect last month.
The backstory:
The carjacking happened early in the morning of June 24.
According to MPD, two suspects held a man at gunpoint in the 700 block of 19th Street in Northeast Washington before taking his keys and driving off.
After the carjacking, officers searched the city for the suspects, before finding the car on Valley Avenue in Southeast. Officers tried to pull the car over, but the driver took off, before bailing at 2nd and Xenia Streets.
What we know:
The body camera footage released Friday picks up during officers’ search for the suspects.
In the short clip, the officer can be heard shouting out the window of his patrol car before firing out the window.
According to MPD, the officer was driving on Livingston Road SE when he saw one of the suspects. The officer asked the suspect to show their hands, but instead, MPD said the suspect pointed a rifle at the officer. That’s when the officer fired, and the suspect ran off into the woods.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 13-year-old charged in DC armed carjacking, officer shoots at second suspect
What’s next:
That suspect is still on the run, according to MPD. A second suspect was arrested the night of the carjacking. The 13-year-old has been charged with armed carjacking, reckless driving, and fleeing from a law enforcement officer.
The United States Attorney’s Office for DC and MPD’s Internal Affairs Division Force Investigation Team will both review the shooting.
The Source: Information in this story is from the Metropolitan Police Department and previous FOX 5 DC reports.
Washington, D.C
What’s that noise? What you need to know about D.C. flyovers Friday and Saturday – WTOP News
Reagan National Airport will close for America 250 flyover rehearsals Friday and celebrations Saturday featuring the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels and more.
Reagan National Airport will close from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday for rehearsals ahead of this weekend’s America 250 celebrations, meaning people around D.C., Arlington and Alexandria may hear and see low-flying military aircraft.
According to Freedom 250 event organizers, Friday’s “Wings of Freedom” demonstrations over the National Mall will feature parachute teams, helicopters and military aircraft, including the U.S. Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey and F-35B, the Navy’s F-18F and F-35C, the Air Force’s F-22 Raptor, the Thunderbirds and a tri-bomber formation.
On Saturday, the FAA will close the airport from noon to midnight for the full celebration. All arrivals and departures at Reagan National are scheduled to end before noon.
Flyovers and demonstrations are scheduled throughout the afternoon and evening along the National Mall and Washington Monument grounds, including appearances by Air Force One, the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, military aircraft fleet reviews, parachute demonstrations and B-2 stealth bombers.
Highlights include an Air Force One flyover scheduled for 7:03 p.m., a Thunderbirds demonstration beginning at 6:25 p.m., a tri-bomber formation at 6:02 p.m. and a stealth aircraft flyover at 7:38 p.m.
Friday’s schedule of flyovers and demonstration rehearsals along the National Mall and Washington Monument
- 10 a.m.: Golden Knights, Leap Frogs
- 10:15 a.m.: Army Helo Flyover
- 10:20 a.m.: USMC V-22 Osprey Demo
- 10:35 a.m.: USMC F-35B STOVL Demo
- 10:50 a.m.: USN F-18F Demo
- 11:10 a.m.: USN F-35C Demo Team
- 11:30 a.m.: USAF F-22 Raptor Demo
- 11:50 a.m.: NASA F-5s
- 12 p.m.: HUGE (1) Formation
- 12:05 p.m.: USAF Thunderbirds
- 12:55 p.m.: USAF Tri-Bomber
Saturday’s schedule of flyovers and demonstration along the National Mall and Washington Monument
- 1:14 p.m.: – NASA F-5 Flyover
- 1:24 p.m.: -NASA Fleet Review
- 1:44 p.m.: USCG Helo Flyover
- 1:54 p.m.: USCG Fixed Wing Flyover
- 2:09 p.m.: Golden Knights, Leap Frogs
- 2:29 p.m.: Army Helo Flyover
- 2:44 p.m.: USAF Fleet Review – Wave 1 – Heavies
- 2:54 p.m.: USAF Fleet Review – Wave 2 – AFSOC
- 3:04 p.m.: USAF Fleet Review – Wave 3 – Fighters
- 3:29 p.m.: Executive Rotary Wing Airlift
- 3:39 p.m.: USMC Fleet Review – Wave 1 – Rotary
- 3:49 p.m.: USMC Fleet Review – Wave 2 – Fixed Wing
- 3:59 p.m.: USN Fleet Review – Wave 1 – Rotary
- 4:09 p.m.: USN Fleet Review – Wave 2 – Fixed Wing
- 4:19 p.m.: USN Fleet Review – Wave 3 – Fighters
- 4:21 p.m.: USN F-18F Demonstration
- 4:59 p.m.: USN Blue Angels
- 5:26 p.m.: USMC MV-22 Osprey Demonstration
- 5:44 p.m.: USAF Fleet Review – Fighters
- 6:02 p.m.: USAF Tri-Bomber Formation
- 6:05 p.m.: USN F-35C Demonstration
- 6:25 p.m.: USAF Thunderbirds Demonstration
- 7:03 p.m.: Air Force One Flyover
- 7:07 p.m.: USAF Thunderbirds Delta Break
- 7:17 p.m.: HUGE 1 Flyover Led by the Newly Renovated Air Force One
- 7:38 p.m.: U.S. Stealth Airpower Flyover
- 7:39 p.m.: F-22 Raptor Demo
- 7:53 p.m.: F-22 Raptor in Afterburner
- 7:59 p.m.: B-1 Flyover
- 8:07 p.m.: B-1’s in Afterburner
- 8:11 p.m.: HUGE ONE Fly Over Review
- 8:22 p.m.: Golden Knights Twilight Jump
- 10:36 p.m.: B-1 Afterburner Night Pass
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© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
An Air Force major was arrested in uniform on the steps of the Capitol after he called for the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
U.S. Capitol Police arrested Jason Watson, an active-duty service member, on Wednesday afternoon following remarks at a news conference where he said Trump and Vice President JD Vance should be removed from office.
The event was organized by the Removal Coalition, a group that lobbies members of Congress to impeach Trump, and attended by Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who has repeatedly introduced articles of impeachment against Trump.
“I’m here with him because Rep. Green is the only member of Congress that has demonstrated the courage and conviction to … force a vote on articles of impeachment,” Watson said at the event. “If Congress followed his example, we could remove the entire Trump administration, but Congress remains unconvinced of the urgency and necessity for them to honor their oaths, so we must persuade them with our unrelenting, uncompromising civil resistance.”
Watson said he is not a Democrat and does not share policy positions with Green, who lost his re-election bid this year. Green’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Watson’s arrest.
Capitol Police said in a statement that it “is generally against the law for the public to demonstrate on the House Steps unless they are with a Member of Congress.”
“Yesterday afternoon, a man was escorted to the House Steps by a Member of Congress,” the statement said. “When the Member of Congress left the area, our officers gave the man lawful orders to stop the illegal demonstration or he would be arrested. The man refused our lawful orders.”
Capitol Police identified the man as Watson, adding that he was arrested on charges of “Crowding, Obstructing, and Incommoding” and that it is legal to protest in other spots on the Capitol grounds.
Service members are subject to stricter laws than the average citizen when it comes to protesting. The Uniform Code of Military Justice prohibits officers from “using contemptuous language towards the President, Vice president, the Secretaries of War and of a military department, Congress, and certain other officials,” according to an Air Force memo last year.
An Air Force spokesperson said in a statement Thursday: “Service members must comply with all laws, regulations and policies governing conduct and the wear of the uniform. All Department of the Air Force personnel are expected to uphold the highest standards of discipline and professionalism, both on and off duty.”
All service members, not just members of the Air Force, are prohibited from participating in “political activities” in uniform.
Watson’s criticism of Trump and Vance focused on the administration’s actions in Venezuela and Iran, calling them “an unconstitutional usurpation of Congress’ authority and a violation of the War Powers Clause.”
“These violations resulted in the deaths of 13 service members and injuries of hundreds more,” he said, referring to the number of U.S. military deaths tied to the Iran war. “For this, the president and vice president must be impeached, convicted and removed.”
Watson also called the administration’s immigration policies and tactics unconstitutional.
The Removal Coalition did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and Watson could not be reached.
President Donald Trump responded to criticism of a financial disclosure that listed $1.4 billion in crypto earnings largely driven by meme coins.
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