Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told Newsmax that Washington, D.C., is ready for America's 250th anniversary celebration.
Burgum told "American Agenda" on Wednesday that some people choose to be vandals rather than "celebrating the greatness of this country."
He said vandals cut a generator fuel line at a recent event on the National Mall, and a small amount of fuel leaked into the ground, but it was all quickly "handled and contained."
He said that incident will have no impact on the 250th events coming up in D.C. and that "the city has never looked better."
Burgum said he could not have given that assessment more than a year ago before President Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second term.
"We inherited a city that was in decline, in squalor," said Burgum. "We've removed over a thousand graffiti sites, 152 homeless encampments. We've restored 22 fountains; 48 monuments have been restored."
He said the work continues to prepare the nation's capital for the huge crowds anticipated in D.C.
Among the big draws, he said, will be the Great American State Fair that lasts 15 days.
"Think of it like a World's Fair," Burgum said, "only instead of countries, it's states. And you're going to come through there, whether you come with your grandparents or come with your kids, your friends, your neighbors, you're going to learn things about America. You [will be] like, wow, I had no idea these amazing things were happening across the country."
The secretary said in keeping with Trump's style to go big, the July Fourth fireworks display will "set a new world's record for the largest firework display ever. Nothing short of that with President Trump. Let's dream big, execute big, and just great, great things [will be] happening."
America's 250th website indicates there will be local events so all Americans can be a part of the party.
"America250 and its network of State and Territory Commissions, partners, and sponsors are hosting events all across our nation throughout the Semiquincentennial year," the site proclaims.
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